| Whitehaven received particularly seasonal weather during the first week of Christmas 2000. The view of the harbour frozen over, with snow on the ice was shown on TV news and made the national newspapers. This spectacular, unusual occurrence was due partly to the fact that since the installation of the lock gates, Pow Beck, which runs into the harbour, has been gradually diluting the salt content of the water. The lock gates also mean that the water withheld has less motion. |
| However, these shots of the shore line, with snow on the beaches, indicate the phenomenon was also due to prolonged sub-zero temperatures and a large fall of extremely dry, powdery snow. |
| Well known Whitehaven monuments took on a different cast, and colour photographs turned to black and white. The boy on the capstan was still watching out to sea for his father's return, despite the weather. |
| Familiar Whitehaven streets took on the appearance of Christmas cards. |
| Although the town looked picturesque it must certainly have hit trade. This should have been the first market day after Christmas and start of the sales. At half-past nine barely a sole was to be seen on King Street and most of the shops still shut. |