White Christmasses belong the same tradition as xmas elves, reindeer, and Santa. Baloney spouted by parents to enjoy their kids' naivety. And I stopped believing in santa a long time ago.
True, I can remember cold snowy Easters and once even at the end of May beginning of June.
The Easter thing is just because it's often [at the end of March or within a couple of weeks after] and the seas around the UK are still near their coldest (unlike December) so no surprise there. But snow is far more likely at Christmas than at the end of May or early June! The June thing only happened in a few places anyway - once - and was mainly a high ground event (Buxton cricket abandoned in June due to snow!) with a few sleety showers lower down for a few hours. Can't see that happening again though.
You have been unlucky then. According to the Met Office, "Christmas 2010 was the last white Christmas. It was extremely unusual, as not only was there snow on the ground at 83% of stations - the highest amount ever recorded - but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of stations.We also had a white Christmas in 2009, 13% of stations recorded snow or sleet falling, and 57% reported snow on the ground."
Here on the south coast there were only a few remaining patches of icy snow left over from the previous week's snowfall and it was dry, so that doesn't count as a White Christmas, in my book.
To me, you need snow on the ground during the day to count as a White Christmas, unlike betting people who seem to be happy to see one snowflake fall at 2 am with rain for the rest of the day.
To me, you need snow on the ground during the day to count as a White Christmas, unlike betting people who seem to be happy to see one snowflake fall at 2 am with rain for the rest of the day.
Doesn't it have to fall on the Meteorological office roof to count for the bookies.?
Doesn't it have to fall on the Meteorological office roof to count for the bookies.?
Different places around the the UK but yes, that's the general stupid idea. A blob of sleety melting snowflake in the middle of a day of incessant pouring rain would win the bet (if an official observer saw it) but obviously, it wouldn't really be a White Christmas at all. You have to pick from a list of locations, all with different odds, and bet on that.
You have been unlucky then. According to the Met Office, "Christmas 2010 was the last white Christmas. It was extremely unusual, as not only was there snow on the ground at 83% of stations - the highest amount ever recorded - but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of stations.We also had a white Christmas in 2009, 13% of stations recorded snow or sleet falling, and 57% reported snow on the ground."
Here on the south coast there were only a few remaining patches of icy snow left over from the previous week's snowfall and it was dry, so that doesn't count as a White Christmas, in my book.
To me, you need snow on the ground during the day to count as a White Christmas, unlike betting people who seem to be happy to see one snowflake fall at 2 am with rain for the rest of the day.
i remember in 2010 having some snow before and i think 09 we had a bit just before xmas. i don't think i've ever seen any snow come down on the actual day though. i always thought of a white christmas was snow coming down, not just snow being around on the ground. we usually see snow come down in jan/feb more than december.
But just recently it's turned to snow. Very wet snow however, not the proper stuff. Most unlikely to stick, certainly not for any length of time anyway.
Snowing (and sticking too) here in South Staffordshire.
Don't worry. Just had a look at what was (big fat flakes) to what is now....fine sleet! About the only 'snow' that managed to stick is on vehicles. Bet it's all gone and dry as a bone by tomorrow!
Don't worry. Just had a look at what was (big fat flakes) to what is now....fine sleet! About the only 'snow' that managed to stick is on vehicles. Bet it's all gone and dry as a bone by tomorrow!
I'd check the overnight forecast if I were you!! ;-)
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Indeed. I've got to get from Bristol to Bolton on Christmas day (and back). Snow would be a big no-no (or snow-no).
True, I can remember cold snowy Easters and once even at the end of May beginning of June.
The Easter thing is just because it's often [at the end of March or within a couple of weeks after] and the seas around the UK are still near their coldest (unlike December) so no surprise there. But snow is far more likely at Christmas than at the end of May or early June! The June thing only happened in a few places anyway - once - and was mainly a high ground event (Buxton cricket abandoned in June due to snow!) with a few sleety showers lower down for a few hours. Can't see that happening again though.
You have been unlucky then. According to the Met Office, "Christmas 2010 was the last white Christmas. It was extremely unusual, as not only was there snow on the ground at 83% of stations - the highest amount ever recorded - but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of stations.We also had a white Christmas in 2009, 13% of stations recorded snow or sleet falling, and 57% reported snow on the ground."
Here on the south coast there were only a few remaining patches of icy snow left over from the previous week's snowfall and it was dry, so that doesn't count as a White Christmas, in my book.
To me, you need snow on the ground during the day to count as a White Christmas, unlike betting people who seem to be happy to see one snowflake fall at 2 am with rain for the rest of the day.
Doesn't it have to fall on the Meteorological office roof to count for the bookies.?
Different places around the the UK but yes, that's the general stupid idea. A blob of sleety melting snowflake in the middle of a day of incessant pouring rain would win the bet (if an official observer saw it) but obviously, it wouldn't really be a White Christmas at all. You have to pick from a list of locations, all with different odds, and bet on that.
i remember in 2010 having some snow before and i think 09 we had a bit just before xmas. i don't think i've ever seen any snow come down on the actual day though. i always thought of a white christmas was snow coming down, not just snow being around on the ground. we usually see snow come down in jan/feb more than december.
But just recently it's turned to snow. Very wet snow however, not the proper stuff. Most unlikely to stick, certainly not for any length of time anyway.
I'd check the overnight forecast if I were you!! ;-)