The ice storm of freezing rain on Saturday made treacherous conditions in many parts. Thankfully, these storms are rare in Britain, but one of the worst ice incidents struck in January 1940. The country was in the grip of an Arctic freeze, with heavy snows, bitter winds and, to make matters worse, it was wartime and food rationing was introduced on January 8. On January 27 a savage ice storm hit much of southern Britain. Freezing rain fell for two days and turned everything outside into what looked like a world of glass.

Source: The Times December 18, 2018 00:00 UTC