Today is the coldest November 25 on record, with the temperature dipping to a chilly 56.5F (13.6C) at one point this morning.

The previous coldest November 25 was in 1988, when the mercury fell to 57F (13.9C).

Forecasters said the cold snap was the result of an active cold front that moved across the Island yesterday.

“Some very cold air originating over Canada has fed down across our area behind the front, albeit moderated by a relatively warm Atlantic Ocean,” Bermuda Weather Service Deputy Director James Dodgson said.

“It is this ‘ocean moderating effect’ that saves us from having subzero temperatures, ice and snow — unlike most of the Continental US and Canada, which is currently experiencing a lot of winter-type weather.

“The weather will becomes milder here on Wednesday as winds begin to veer into more of a southerly, warmer direction ahead of the next weather front approaching from the west.”

Mr Dodgson said that the temperature was not expected to rise above 62F (17C) today — well below the average high for the day of 73.4F (23C).

But today is not the coldest day of the year so far. On January 25, temperatures fell to 10.5F (50.9C).