But the offer was released days earlier than planned and began appearing in other regions across the UK and up to 9, 000 people snapped it up, leaving the business snowed under.

FORBES: Beware Groupon

The boy hopped in the snowed-in family car to warm up, but the engine was running and the exhaust pipe was blocked by snow, causing carbon monoxide to accumulate in the car.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

It snowed almost every day for the next four months, while I sat on the couch and watched it pile up.

NPR: The Hardest Work You Will Ever Do