London’s climate is far milder than its northern latitude suggests, heavily influenced by the warm North Atlantic Current. The city’s winters are often characterized by damp, cool conditions rather than the deep freezes and heavy snowfall seen in continental Europe. Snow accumulation is infrequent, making the arrival of settled snow a notable occurrence. This rarity is largely due to the urban heat island effect, which raises central London’s temperature, causing precipitation to often fall as rain or sleet instead of snow.
The Most Recent Documented Snowfall
The last widespread instance of snow settling on the ground in London occurred in December 2022. Snow covered various parts of the city, bringing travel disruption. Accumulations varied across the capital, with some areas reporting snow lying for several days. The cold spell was temporary, with temperatures soon rising to melt the accumulation quickly, which is typical for the city.
Prior to this, the most disruptive recent snowfall was delivered by the “Beast from the East” weather system in late February and early March 2018. That severe cold air mass, originating from Siberia, resulted in significant snowfall across the entire United Kingdom. London experienced several days of heavy snow, leading to widespread closures of schools and major delays across the transport network.
What Qualifies as Snowfall in London
Meteorologists draw a distinction between “snow falling” and “snow lying” or “settled snow,” a difference particularly relevant to London’s climate. Snow falling simply means a snowflake was observed, which on average occurs on about ten days each year in central London. Due to the city’s maritime location and the persistent urban heat island, this falling snow often melts before it reaches the ground or immediately upon landing. This results in the frequent sight of sleet or transient snow flurries with no lasting impact.
The much rarer event is “snow lying,” defined as snow covering at least half the ground at 9 a.m. This measure indicates true accumulation and impact. Central London records an average of only three days per year where snow is officially lying on the ground. The low number is a direct consequence of the city’s warmer microclimate, which often keeps surface temperatures just above freezing. For snow to settle, a deep, prolonged cold snap is required to cool the ground sufficiently for accumulation.
Major Historical Snow Events
London’s meteorological history contains accounts of more severe and prolonged snow events than those seen recently. The “Big Freeze” of 1962–1963 stands as one of the coldest winters on record, lasting from December until March. The city endured weeks of sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall, with snow lying on the ground for over two months and the River Thames partially freezing over.
The winter of 1986–1987 also brought a cold spell, resulting in heavy snow that caused significant disruption, particularly in the south-east. More recently, the winter of 2009–2010 delivered multiple heavy snowfalls, considered the most severe since the early 1990s.