It's nice weather for ducks, as the saying goes. However, these birds must have been quackers to brave the icy waters of Derwentwater, near Keswick, in the Lake District. These ducks were captured skirting across the water against a mountainous landscape, in the beautiful Cumbrian region - made all the more stunning by the arrival of arctic winter conditions. As the Government warned residents to brace themselves for the cold snap to come, parts of the UK countryside have been glazed in a stunning blanket of snow, frost and mist - creating a breathtaking spectacle in the process. Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk...

The Department of Health issued a 'Level 2' cold-weather alert running for the next two to three days, which is triggered when low temperatures give rise to significant health risks. It warned that low temperatures can especially be dangerous for the young and the elderly or those with chronic disease. Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk...

Apparently, the latter half of February will be interesting.

I went through that whole article, what is a "level 2"?

Triggered by the Met Office as soon as the risk is 60% or above for any of the three thresholds to be breached. This is an important stage for social and healthcare services who will be working to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential period of cold weather.

Advice: Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

January 24, 2012 — Police in Moose Jaw, Sask. say exposure to the cold was a factor in the death of a 29-year-old woman whose body was found Saturday morning.