As Britain trembles under dire warnings od servere weather, Mark Sage, in frozen New York, where the temperature has been below zero for weeks, says we ain't seen nothing yet.

NOW I don't mean to complain, sitting here in New York City, but looking at the news from Britain I'm starting to think you're all about to be sent to your frozen graves by the sudden arrival of a new Ice Age.

A quick glance at the headlines throws up: Days Off For Snow, Watch Out For Ice, Aeroplanes Grounded, The Gritters MUST Go Out, and even Stockpile Food.

Then the fateful weather forecasters' warning - the temperature may go a degree or two below zero!

I'm sorry to boost the idea that America thinks it does everything better, but before you moan about the weather in Britain, I say ''come over here and say that''.

In the frozen Big Apple the temperature hasn't gone above zero for weeks.

Apparently Britain is facing temperatures as low as -10c. Boo-hoo. It was -17c here last week, with wind chill making it feel like -40c in some parts.

First New York had snow. Then that started to melt, just in time for more freezing temperatures to turn the slush to ice, making the footpaths impassable without crampons.

And as Britain dreads its few inches of snow, which will no doubt wipe out the trains, shut down the schools and create havoc on the roads, the 'really' bad weather is only just about to start here.

Freezing rain is about to hammer down on top of a blanket of snow, which is moving up the east coast, and has already claimed at least 16 lives.

So enjoy the chilly weather in Britain. Of course you need to look out for the elderly relative or neighbour, and make sure kids wear hats and gloves, but it's only snow.

NEW York might have an image for being one of the most advanced cities in the world, but parts of it are falling apart.

People here are used to some of its ''quirks'' - wonky floors in old terraces, hissing, clanking central heating, lights that fade when you turn the kettle on.

Some of the little flaws are even endearing and homely.

But the neglect suffered by some of the city's infrastructure came to a head last week, with a tragic accident.

A 30-year-old PhD student, out walking her dogs in Manhattan's East Village, was electrocuted when she slipped onto a manhole cover which was shielding an electricity junction box.

It appears that the mixture of snowy slush and salt allowed a current to pass directly from the main into Jodie Lane, killing her instantly.

Since the accident more Manhattanites have come forward to say they have known for years about a number of ''charged'' manhole covers.

Apparently, the current passing through the covers is never noticed by people walking over them, because their shoes insulate them from the charge.

Ms Lane appears to have been electrocuted when she slipped and touched the cover with her skin.

One of the spots is just outside a school.

''School kids can feel a current coming up right up through the sidewalk, said local man Garrett Rosso.

''They put their hands on it.''

The old saying ''if it ain't broke, don't fix it'' seems to have been taken to the extreme. New York authorities seem to be saying ''if you can't SEE it's broke, don't fix it."

* Harry Mead is away