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It Felt Like A Record Low - It Was!
31 Jan 1972
Market Square, The Mall, Burnley
Ice got a grip on the fountains in Burnley's town centre.
Burnley reached its lowest temperature for at least three-quarters of a century on Sunday night, 30th January 1972, when 27 degrees of frost were recorded by Burnley's Health Department. Minimum ground temperature was 4.8 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly eight degrees lower than the minimum recorded in the notorious winter of 1961-62; and the lowest recorded since readings were first taken in 1908. The temperatures fell so low because there was no cloud or humidity. The temperature has not been above freezing point since 9 a.m. on Friday, and has steadily dropped since then.
The freak weather has also brought a stern warning from Burnley's Accident Prevention Officer Mr John Mackie. He urges parents to keep their children away from canals, lakes, ponds, even swampy ground, while the freeze lasts. "You can never be sure that the ice is thick enough to take your weight," said Mr Mackie.
