{"id":41954,"date":"2024-11-19T13:31:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T12:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7a7e4308-d92e-4545-9f8c-ad814cc90d73"},"modified":"2024-11-19T15:27:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T14:27:44","slug":"britains-coldest-winters-from-1946-to-2024","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/britains-coldest-winters-from-1946-to-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain\u2019s coldest winters \u2013 from 1946 to 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

While parts of the UK may only experience a light dusting of snow, in other areas a deep blanket can form. Here’s our guide on the best places in Britain to see snow and tips on how to stay safe <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 19 November 2024 at 12:31 PM<\/p>

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We take a<\/strong> look back at Britain’s coldest and snowiest winters on record, plus our guide on the best places in Britain to see snow and tips on how to stay safe.<\/strong><\/p>

How many snowy days does the UK get on average each year?<\/h2>
According to the Met Office, the UK sees an average of 23.7 days of snow fall or sleet a year, with most of this snow falling on higher ground where temperatures are lower.<\/p>
History of snow in Britain<\/h2>
1908 – first ski lifts<\/h3>
The first ski lift went into operation in 1908 (in Germany) and made the sport far more popular \u2013 at least in countries with regular winter snowfalls. The Ski Club of Great Britain had been publishing its magazine, the British Ski Year Book<\/em>, for several years at this point and helped organise the first British National Ski Championships in 1921 in Wengen, Switzerland.<\/p>
1930s schooling<\/h3>
If your classroom or office is a little drafty, remember that a bit of cold never harmed anyone. Here, a class learns about the structure of snowflakes.<\/p>

More snowy content:<\/strong><\/p>

The best places to ski and snowboard in Britain<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
Best cities, towns and villages to visit this winter<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
How to cycle safely in winter<\/b><\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> In the 1930s, some educationalists were great believers in the benefits of fresh air. By the end of the decade, there were 155 ‘open-air’ schools <\/a>across the UK, in which children were educated in classrooms that had roofs \u2013 but no walls. Even in winter, when sometimes the pupils’ first task in the morning was to sweep snow from their desks.<\/p>
<\/figure>
When was the coldest winter in the UK?<\/h2>
Winter of 1947<\/h3>
The winter of 1947 was one of the harshest on record in the UK, with heavy snowfalls that reached up to 7m deep. The mean maximum temperature for the February was 0.5\u00b0C. The armed forces were called in to help clear roads and railways, and supplies were flown into isolate villages via helicopter. The cold spell began in January and lasted until mid-March \u2013 in the thaw, more than 100,000 homes were affected by flooding.<\/p>
The ‘Big Freeze’ of 1963<\/h3>
The winter of 1963 is one of the coldest British winters on record. It began just before Christmas in 1962, bringing blizzards, snow drifts and temperatures lower than -20\u00b0C. Lakes, rivers and even some sea water in harbours froze \u2013 it’s well-documented that the River Thames also froze over.<\/p>
The ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018<\/h3>
The Beast from the East hit the UK on 26 February 2018, bringing Arctic temperatures and heavy snowfall. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures caused severe travel disruption, and the National Grid issued a gas deficit warning. The Army were also called in to transport NHS workers to and from work as roads became extremely difficult to drive on.<\/p>
The winter of 2021<\/h3>
While we haven’t had as many cold winters in recent years, the last time the River Thames froze was in 2021. Parts of the river in Teddington, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, froze over. An image taken by the RNLI showed seagulls walking on its surface, and warned that they may need to use a smaller boat on call-outs.<\/p>
What is a White Christmas?<\/h2>
According to official long-standing records kept by the Met Office, a White Christmas<\/a> only officially occurs if a flake of snow falls on the \u2018Big Day\u2019. There doesn\u2019t even need to be any snow on the ground.<\/p>
White Christmases are more common than you might think. In fact, at least one snowflake has fallen somewhere in the UK on Christmas Day 38 times in the last 55 years. Perhaps to most people, though, snow-covered ground is what really ticks the Christmas box. Using this measure it is, of course, more unusual.<\/p>
Where can you see snow in Britain?<\/h2>
Wales<\/h2>
Snowdon, Gwynedd<\/h3>
Wales\u2019 climate is heavily influenced by the Irish Sea and snowfall \u2013 even at altitude is quite rare. Snowdon typically gets snowfall on around 30 days a year, but it rarely lingers for more than a few days.<\/p>

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See the snow in Snowdon – but make it quick as it rarely lasts more than three days. Credit: Alamy <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div>
Scotland<\/h2>
Cairngorm Plateau, Highland<\/h3>
A genuinely extreme environment in winter, where snow falls on more than 50 days a year and temperatures regular drop to -10\u00b0C or lower and stay there for days on end. Heavy snowfall here will typically linger for several weeks and during the harsh winter of 2010-11 \u2013 the entire plateau was covered in snow from November to April.<\/p>

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A harsh yet beautiful environment, with snow falling more than 50 days a year. Credit: Alamy <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div>
Northern England<\/h2>
Cross Fell, North Pennines<\/h3>
Sitting just to the northwest of Teesdale, this high-level plateau is the biggest expanse of terrain over 3,000ft above sea level in England, where temperatures are often as much as 10 degrees cooler than in the surrounding lowlands. Snow often lies on north-facing slopes here until June. In the neighbouring valley of the South Tyne, there\u2019s even a permanent ski lift at Yad Moss, where the locals can enjoy a swift 600m descent of the snowy slopes of the 2,500ft high Burnhope Seat.<\/p>

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The North Pennines covered in snow (Cross Fell on the left; Great Dun Fell at center) – viewed from Kirkby Thore in Cumbria Eden Valley. Credit: Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div>
Southern England<\/h2>
Princetown, Dartmoor<\/h3>
At 1,300ft above sea level, Princetown is one of the highest towns in Britain and although it\u2019s only a few miles from the relative warmth of the coast, the town experiences some of the highest snowfall in the entire south of England.<\/p>

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Princetown is the highest town in Dartmoor at 1,300ft above sea level. Credit: Alamy <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div>
How to stay safe in the snow<\/h2>
Venturing out into this winter wonderland is a magical experience, but it\u2019s also important to be properly prepared for the conditions.<\/p>
Check the forecast before setting out and if there is a risk of further snowfall or blizzard conditions, don\u2019t go onto the high fells. Be mindful of your abilities and keep within them.<\/p>

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Sunny conditions can change quickly so come prepared. Credit: Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div>
Walking with crampons and ice axes require some training and practice, so seek advice before venturing into upland areas where their use is recommended.<\/p>
Wear suitable clothing and take extra layers. In winter, this means:<\/p>

A thermal base layer<\/li>
Light fleece<\/li>
Heavier fleece or soft shell<\/li>
Waterproof jacket<\/li>
Down jacket<\/li>
Waterproof trousers<\/li>
Sturdy boots<\/li>
Hat and gloves<\/li>
Torch and spare batteries<\/li>
Take hot drinks, cold drinks and extra food<\/li>
Make sure your phone is fully charged and if you get into difficulties, dial 999 or 112 and ask for \u2018Police\u2019 then \u2018Mountain Rescue\u2019<\/li> <\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
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