FEBRRRUARY'S HERE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 1, 2009 | by JOHN KELLY

UP to eight inches of snow could fall in parts of Britain as temperatures plunge back to below zero in the coldest winter for 13 years.

The big freeze starts today with cold winds coming in from the east bringing sleet and snow to parts of Kent, Lincolnshire and East Anglia. But the whole country will see snow on Monday and Tuesday with up to four inches on lower ground and up to eight inches on the Pennines, parts of North Yorkshire, Wales and the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Temperatures will range from -1C to -4C with a possible thaw on Thursday, followed by another cold spell next weekend.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Most of the country will see snow - but some places will see a lot of it." Strong winds of around 25- 30mph are expected, but they could get close to gale force in some areas tonight. At least the cold winds will ensure February is a dry month.

The cold snap has forced bookies William Hill to slash the odds of 2009 being the coldest on record in the UK from 12/1 to 8/1.

MORE than 20 people have died in 40degC (104degF) heat in South East Australia, which is experiencing its worst heatwave in 100 years.