1987 United Kingdom and Ireland cold wave
Snow-covered street in Sheerness | |
| Formed | 7 January 1987 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | 20 January 1987 |
| Lowest temperature | −23.3 °C (−9.9 °F) (13 January 1987, Caldecott, Rutland) |
| Areas affected | United Kingdom and Ireland |
The January 1987 snowfall (also known as the Big Freeze of 1987) was a very heavy lake-effect type snow event that affected the United Kingdom, mainly the areas of East Anglia, South-East England and London between 11 and 14 January and was the heaviest snowfall to fall in that part of the United Kingdom since the winter of 1981/82. Over 50 centimetres (20 in) of snow fell in South East England, with some locations reporting snowfall at 75 centimetres (30 in). Ireland was also affected by the cold wave, reporting more than 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in some areas.