What are the chances of snow on Christmas Day in the UK?

The chances of a "white Christmas" in the UK depend on the definition used:

What are the odds of it snowing on Christmas Day in the UK?

The chance of a widespread white Christmas in the UK for 2025 is low, with forecasts pointing to drier, chilly conditions and only a slim possibility of light wintry flurries, mainly over higher ground, rather than significant snowfall. While a single snowflake counts as a technical white Christmas, significant accumulations are unlikely, with temperatures a few degrees below average and potential for overnight frosts and fog, but mostly dry weather for most areas, say Met Office and BBC. 

Will it ever snow on Christmas again in the UK?

Whilst snow is more common between January to March than in December, odds are still pretty high that somewhere in the UK will see snow on 25 December. However, as our climate warms, winters in the UK are becoming milder and wetter.

Has it ever snowed on Christmas Day in the UK?

However, the Dickensian scene of widespread snow lying on the ground on Christmas Day is much rarer. There has only been a widespread covering of snow on the ground (where more than 40% of stations in the UK reported snow on the ground at 9 am) four times since 1960—in 1981, 1995, 2009 and 2010.

Will it be white Christmas 2025?

For Christmas 2025, a widespread white Christmas in the UK is unlikely, though some colder air might bring a few flurries or sleet, especially in eastern areas or higher grounds; in the U.S., the best chances for snow are in the Rockies, Cascades, Midwest, and Northeast, while the South and Mid-Atlantic have very low odds, with forecasts pointing to milder, drier conditions for much of the country, making a "Hawaiian Christmas" more probable for some.
 

Chances of snow on Christmas day revealed! - plus the weekend forecast - 19 Dec

How likely is a white Christmas?

White Christmas odds depend heavily on location, with ** Scotland and Northern England having the best chances**, while southern UK and US locations have much lower odds, though historical data shows snow falling on Christmas Day happens more often than snow lying on the ground, making it a common event somewhere in the UK, but rarer for specific cities like London. For Christmas 2025 (based on recent data), odds favor Scottish cities like Edinburgh/Glasgow and Northern England (Newcastle/Leeds), while southern locations like London have much longer odds. 

Where in the UK is guaranteed snow?

The Scottish Highlands – Best chance of guaranteed snow

The Scottish Highlands offer the most reliable snow conditions in the UK. Areas around the Cairngorms, Glencoe and Ben Nevis regularly experience sustained snowfall throughout January.

Will UK winter 2025 be cold?

The more likely outcome is a colder-than-average winter with notable frosts and some widespread snow events, but not necessarily the coldest in modern history.

What is the coldest Christmas Day in the UK?

The lowest temperature recorded on Christmas Day was a frigid -18.3°C at Gainford (Durham) in 1878. Rain is a frequent visitor, with Capel Curig (Gwynedd) recording 165.4mm in 2015, the wettest Christmas Day on record.

Was 2004 a white Christmas?

The last widespread White Christmas across the UK was 2004, which had sleet or snow falling over many northern and western areas.

Did it snow in Christmas 1964?

Of the Met Office's 481 stations, 108 reported lying snow on Christmas Day in 1964.

When was the last time snow fell on Christmas Day?

The last widespread snow on Christmas Day in the UK was in 2010, which saw snow on the ground at a record 83% of stations, with some snow falling at 19% of stations; however, there have been "white Christmases" since then (like 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), but with much less snow, often just a single flake or snow only in Scotland. 

Which town in the UK gets the most snow?

7 of the snowiest places in the UK

1. The Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands. As you might expect, the UK's premier snow sports destination leads the way for snowfall. ...
2. Fair Isle. ...
3. Copley, County Durham. ...
4. Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway. ...
5. Sperrin Mountains, Northern Ireland. ...
6. Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales. ...
7. Sheffield.

How hot will England be in 2050?

The Government's latest UK Climate Change Projections suggest that by the 2050s, London could see an increase in mean summer temperature of 2.7 degrees, an increase in mean winter rainfall of 15 per cent and a decrease in mean summer rainfall of 18 per cent over a 1961–1990 baseline (see Chapter 5).

Will it snow at Christmas 2025?

Both Accuweather and the BBC expect December 25 to be pretty similar to Christmas Eve: highs of 7C and a light drizzle of rain in the afternoon and evening. Sadly, it doesn't look like there's much chance of any snow.

When was the last UK white Christmas?

The last "technically" white Christmas in the UK was in 2023, with 11% of weather stations recording snow falling, though not settling, with some isolated snowfall in Scotland and Northern England; however, the last widespread white Christmas with significant snow on the ground across the UK was in 2010, a truly exceptional event, according to Met Office.
 

Can schools close due to snow?

On snowy days schools make every effort to stay open but sometimes they must close or partially close if it's unsafe for pupils and teachers to attend.

What is the #1 selling Christmas song of all time?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby is not only the best-selling Christmas single in the United States, but also the best-selling single of all time since the advent of recorded music, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.

Is a white Christmas rare?

Only 20 Christmases have seen measurable (greater than a trace) new snowfall since 1893 (or, about 16% of the time). Only four of these days recorded more than an inch. Another definition of a White Christmas can mean the presence of snow cover on the ground (with or without snowfall that day).