The likelihood of snow falling depends on many factors, principally latitude and height
above sea level. Not all of us can live in the highlands of Scotland and falls of sleet or snow
over low-lying areas area usually confined to between November and April. However, there
have been isolated falls as late as June.
Even if falls in December are possible, there is no guarantee that snow will 'stick'. On days
snow is falling, the temperature of the air above the ground sometimes remains above
freezing point - so the snow does not lie for long.
The last time we had a White Christmas with snow falling across the United Kingdom was
2004, although large parts of southeast England missed any significant falls. 1995 was also
a good year for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.
Climate change has brought higher average temperatures over land and sea in recent
years and this generally reduces the chances of a White Christmas. However, the natural
variability of the weather will not stop cold, snowy winters happening in the future. In fact, in
terms of widespread sleet/snow falling across the United Kingdom on Christmas Day,
between 1971 and 1992 there was only one year (1980), whereas in the years 1993 to
2003 there were five such occasions.