One of Northern Ireland’s coldest spots, Katesbridge, or ‘Kate’s Fridge’ as it’s affectionately called, has been a frequent name on the weather forecast of late.
On Wednesday night, the mercury plummeted to -6.4C in the “frosty hollow” of Co Down, with icy spells to continue in the coming days.
But what is it about this quiet hamlet that consistently records some of Northern Ireland’s lowest temperatures?
Katesbridge in the snow. Photo credit: Jonny Sterritt
This “frost hollow” is described by the Met Office as sitting in a low-lying area in the shadow of the Mournes, which allows for cold air to accumulate, which in turn drastically drops the temperature.
“These locations in the bottom of valleys tend to be much colder overnight compared to places on top of hills,” a Met Office spokesperson said.
“Places like Katesbridge will see more frosts and lower overnight temperatures on average compared to any other rural area in Northern Ireland.
“But it will also see some of the highest temperatures; despite the cold winters, Katesbridge can experience quite hot summers, with the highest ever recorded temperature being 30C in June 2018.”
In 2010, there were eight days of air frost recorded and temperatures fell to -17.8C on the night of December 21.
The following day, the lowest ever daytime temperature here was recorded as it failed to rise above -9.8C.
However, later that month in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, it plummeted to -18.7C – Northern Ireland’s lowest temperature on record.
Jonny Sterrit has been living in Katesbridge for the past 10 years with his wife and four children.
He jokingly said that the residents have a sort of “competition” with Castlederg to see which is coldest.
Jonny Sterritt, who lives in Katesbridge
“There’s a bit of a running joke to see where the temperature is lowest when we get a cold spell – here or Castlederg,” he told this newspaper.
“But I never knew about the reputation of Katesbridge being cold until we moved here.”
Originally from Bessbrook, Co Armagh, Jonny was looking for somewhere quiet to move with his wife and their firstborn son as they found living in Banbridge “too noisy”.
“We looked online and found the old primary school in Katesbridge, where we live now, which was renovated by the previous owner,” he said.
“The countryside around here is so idyllic, we just fell in love with the place.”
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Jonny is a pet photographer – specialising in dogs and horses – and sometimes captures landscape scenes around the area.
He said the scenery in Katesbridge offers stunning views for clients.
“I travel all across Northern Ireland and the Republic, but there really is nowhere nicer than here,” he said.
“You get views of the Mournes and the River Bann runs past our house.
“I do a lot of cold weather photoshoots as most dogs don’t mind it; I have three dogs and they love going out in all weather.
“I don’t mind it, either. I normally wear shorts most days until it gets too cold around November. Summers can be really warm as well, but even last June we woke up with frost on the ground, so you never know.”
Jonny’s son Noah with their miniature schnauzer Bodhi.
Jonny said that he used to work in Kilkeel and often he would leave his house with the temperature gauge reading -4C, but when he got to the other side of the mountains 22 miles away, it would say 5C.
“That’s a difference of 9C, which is pretty stark,” he said.
And keeping his home warm for his family isn’t easy, averaging a tonne bag of wood for the fire every month throughout the winter.
“We would spend about £660 on heating, that’s wood, coal and oil, every three to four months,” he added.
“My wife is a childminder and I now work from home a lot when I’m editing photographs, so we would be home a lot.
“But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just love it, and even though not many people live here, we all look out for each other.
“Everyone keeps themselves to themselves and we are very chilled out around here – pardon the pun. Farmers would get tractors out to help clear the roads if we need it or cut trees away if there’s a storm.
“Neighbours would check on elderly neighbours to see if they’re OK or need anything, it’s a nice place to live.”
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Cold snap continues as temperatures set to drop during coming days