Does It Snow In England?

England is one of the countries that make up the United Kingdom alongside Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The country is between latitudes 49° and 61° N. This location dictates varying weather conditions due to the polar front jet stream. This means that, in one day, the country can experience a myriad of climates. Generally, though, the weather is mostly cool with high temperatures occurring briefly. According to the Köppen climate classification system, the climate of the UK is a temperate oceanic climate.

By virtue of being close to the Atlantic Ocean, England’s climate is mostly mild, windy, and wet with rare temperature variations. However, compared to the other countries in the UK, England has higher temperatures on both the minimum and maximum sides. Snow events have become rarer over the years in England. In the few days that the country receives snow, it barely settles on the ground except for a few occasions.

Snow in England

In a year, the UK gets slightly less than 30 days of snow, mostly received in places with high altitudes, which have colder temperatures. Most of this snow is received in Scotland while England rarely receives snow except in certain parts such as London. Even in London, it may, or it may not snow. Mostly, it does not snow.

In recent years, however, England has been experiencing more and more snowfall. In 2018, London experienced snowfall in February and March, which is a period that is generally the winter period. A similar situation happened in the first months of 2019 in the southern region of England. According to the Met Office, the country received about 19 cm of snow in February 2019.

Previous Snow Events

The past two winters may seem harsh for those who do not have a proper grasp of history. In ancient times, winters were much more intense and much more destructive. For example, the most significant winter event in the country was the one that took place between 1683 and 1684. Nicknamed the Great Frost, that snow event froze part of the River Thames. The snow that covered the Thames was used for ice games and festivals. In modern times, the Thames has only ever frozen in 1963.