Big thaw to be followed by another freeze

Photo: Wynn Matthew

The frozen, snow covered Rochdale Canal

After more than a week of heavy snowfall and the lowest temperatures since 1992, Rochdale has finally started to thaw over the past few days.

The thermometer dropped to -9.4C during the worst of the big freeze, which transformed the borough’s snow-covered roads into treacherous ice rinks and brought howls of complaint from the borough's residents that the council was not doing enough to keep roads and pavements safe to traverse.

Christmas Day saw temperatures beginning to rise and with it melting snow and cloudy skies. Temperatures have continued to be above freezing over the weekend, the snow has thawed in most areas and there have been a few rain showers. However, the very cold weather is predicted to return by the end of the week and those celebrating the New Year out on the streets on New Year's Eve are advised to get well wrapped up as sub-zero temperatures are anticipated.