Yahoo News Burst water main creates ‘amazing’ icicle ‘phenomenon’ on street
People have flocked to see an icicle "phenomenon" created by a burst water main on a street.
The strange structure in Staunton, Gloucestershire, was formed as cars drove past the water main in freezing conditions this week, splashing the water onto a hedge by the side of the road.
Local Helen Stratford came across the formation at the bottom of her street.
She said her daughter, Sabrina, 9, was fascinated by the icicles and wanted to go and see them close up after school.
Read more: UK weather: New warning for ice issued by Met Office as blizzard conditions to sweep in
Helen said: "I've driven past it every day, it's a phenomenon of nature I suppose.
"My daughter says they look like organ pipes at the cathedral, and wanted to go and see them.
"We went when she broke up from school and it was so slippery but she wanted me to take a photo.
"People have been bombing past it and not looking at it properly, but since I shared the photo they've stopped and realised it's quite remarkable."
Another local commented on social media: "Never seen anything like that before....brilliant pic!"
Helen thinks the icicle mound will continue to grow, and as the weather forecast continues to predict sub-zero temperatures, it is possible.
She added: "Whenever people drive past they splash it and it adds more to it.
"It really is amazing and truly unique."
Read more: How to find out if you're eligible for a cold weather payment as temperatures plunge
Weather warnings of severe cold, ice and snowy conditions are in place for the weekend after temperatures plummeted across the UK this week.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of ice for much of Scotland, the North West and Wales for Saturday, with this extending to snow for the north and ice for most of the rest of England on Sunday.
A yellow warning was also issued for South West England shortly before 6am on Saturday.
Residents were warned of “icy surfaces causing difficult travel conditions in a few places”.
A level three cold weather alert has also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all of England until midnight on Sunday, which it warns could “increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.
Forecasters say temperatures could temporarily rise on Sunday which will bring strong winds leading to snow, blizzards and ice and freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions on the roads.
