Heavy Snow In Great Britain

The United Kingdom is bracing for more heavy snow - up to 10 inches on Monday, February 2. The Brits are not used to this much snow all at once. The Daily Mail reported early Monday morning (2:14 a.m. London; 8:14 p.m. Chicago) that "Central London was coated in a blanket of snow more than 6in deep," closing major roads, with temperatures down to –5c (that's 23 Fahrenheit, which is balmy by Chicago standards in early February). You can read more at the Daily Mail website. This is the heaviest snowfall for Britain in 18 years, according to The Sun: The Met Office’s Nigel Bolton warned: “It’s going to be the worst snow since 1991. The Pennines will take the brunt but London and the South East will be unusually badly affected too.” Get the latest conditions at London/Heathrow Airport here. CNB RSS Feed

Photos: Cars Encased in Ice!

Incredible photos of an ice storm! These will make even Chicagoans breath a sigh of relief. It's cold as hell here yesterday and today with sub-zero temps and windchills. Many large icicles hang everywhere, but how would you like your car completely encased in ice several inches thick? That's what happened in Versoix, Switzerland in January, 2005. Click to see all of these beautiful photos... Subscribe to Chicago News Bench

Urgent: Warming Centers For Those In Need

Please make a note of these north side Chicago warming centers listed here, courtesy of News-Star. (For citywide list, click here.) Odds are that if you're reading this, you're inside sitting on a dry chair in a warm room. If you know of anybody without heat, or who is homeless, please make them aware of these vital services. Doing so could save a life. "The city is asking residents to also call 311 if they spot a homeless person outside during the dangerous cold and to check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Transportation to an overnight warming center on the South Side will be available after 5 p.m. by calling 311." Remember, you can also call your alderman and ask for a list of warming centers. The Chicago Department of Human Services has opened its North Side warming center at 4740 N. Sheridan for people who need refuge from the extreme cold weather. The center, which you can reach at 312-744-2580, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For transportation to the center, call 311. Also open to anyone needing a warm place to spend the day are the following libraries and park district buildings: Sulzer branch, 4455 N. Lincoln Uptown branch, 929 W. Buena Edgewater branch, 1210 W. Elmdale Rogers Park branch, 6907 N. Clark Margate Field House, 4921 N. Marine Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Willye B. White Park (formerly Gale School Park), 7631 N. Ashland (full article) RELATED: Emergency Services & Hotlines City of Chicago - Ward & Alderman List Prevention Tips Dealing with Frostbite and Hypothermia Home Heating Assistance Programs Subscribe to Chicago News Bench

Ice Station Howard

The new roof over the renovated CTA Howard Red Line station is grooved. This, to my pleasant surprise on Friday, makes for some beautiful and unusual snow-cicles.