Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    What is snow?

06:00
6 March 2023

Weather Explained
What is snow?

Snow storm in forest
Snow showers are expected this week.

Snow is forecast this week, and we have a simple question... do you know how snow forms?

Snow is a solid form of precipitation. When temperatures are cold enough, water vapour in the air turns to ice around tiny particles of dust and dirt in the atmosphere to create icy crystals. These crystals will stick to each other, and this will eventually produce snowflakes. Similar to rainfall, when the snowflakes get heavy enough, they begin to fall.

If snow falls through warm air, greater than 2°C, the flakes will start to melt and we see more sleet, however if the snowflakes fall through moist air between 0 and 2°C, we are likely to get large fluffy snowflakes. Fine, powdery snowflakes occur when the air is cold and dry.

Watch our weather explained video below to find out more:

Keep an eye on snow in your area at any time on the WeatherRadar.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Japan continues to face torrential rain. After Typhoon Jangmi. . . Friday, 5 June 2026
Split image showing a weather radar map with a tropical cyclone and heavy rain bands moving across Japan on the left, and an aerial view of widespread flooding around a coastal town and river estuary on the right.
Friday, 5 June 2026

After Typhoon Jangmi

Japan continues to face torrential rain
Summer comeback on the horizon. Hot air from Spain. . . Tuesday, 9 June 2026
European weather map showing temperatures and weather symbols. A red arrow points from Spain and southern France towards Central Europe, indicating the influx of very warm air. A sun-and-cloud symbol is shown over Germany, indicating pleasant, partly cloudy weather. Maximum temperatures of over 30 degrees are forecast for Spain and Portugal, whilst in Germany, France and the Alpine regions temperatures are mostly between 22 and 25 degrees. The map illustrates a warm south-westerly flow transporting summer air towards Central Europe.
Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Hot air from Spain

Summer comeback on the horizon
Final thunderstorms hanging around. Before Thursday downpour. . . Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Split weather graphic showing thunderstorms and lightning activity across southeast England on the left, and a broad rain band moving east across Ireland and western UK on the right, with rain icon and a movement arrow east.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Before Thursday downpour

Final thunderstorms hanging around
All weather news
This might also interest you
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday, 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Wishes from Weather & Radar. Merry Christmas!. . . Thursday, 25 December 2025
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList