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 /

When was our last white Christmas?

08:01
24 December 2022

Christmas forecast
When was our last white Christmas?

2020 was a white Christmas, however, only 4% of stations reported any snow lying on the ground. Hexham, Northumberland.2020 was a white Christmas, however, only 4% of stations reported any snow lying on the ground. Hexham, Northumberland. - © picture alliance

A white Christmas is defined as one snowflake observed falling somewhere in the UK within the 24 hours of Christmas, but when did we last have one?

In the UK, the definition of a white Christmas was set by the Met Office. It used to be that a snowflake had to fall on the Met Office's building in London, but today it's if just one snowflake falls somewhere.

In Ireland, Met Éireann similarly state that a white Christmas is defined by the measure of any quantity of snow falling anytime over Christmas Day. The last Irish white Christmas was in 2010, with a spectacular 27cm of snow.

Meanwhile in the UK, 2021 was the last white Christmas with 6% of stations recording snow falling, but less than 1% of stations reported any snow lying on the ground. The last widespread white Christmas in the UK was also in 2010.

So will we have a white Christmas this year? Keep tabs on the WeatherRadar to see if you can find any hints of pink on there!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Weather map showing heavy rain over Greece and western Turkey. Rainfall amounts between 50 and 150 mm are indicated.
Thursday, 12 February 2026

More than 150 mm

Heavy rainfall in southern Europe
Split image showing floodwater covering a road and nearby houses in a rural area on the left, and a Spain weather warning map on the right with red and orange zones indicating heavy rainfall, divided by a curved white line.
Thursday, 5 February 2026

Fresh storm front

Severe flooding in Spain and Portugal
Split image showing a red-orange sunset over the sea with layered clouds on the left, and green and red aurora glowing in the night sky with silhouetted power lines and a utility pole on the right, divided by a curved white line.
Sunday, 1 February 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Calmer conditions catch the eye
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday, 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
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
GB
Clima & Radar Brasil
Hava durumu & Radar Türkiye
Időjárás és Radar Magyarország
Καιρός & Ραντάρ Ελλάδα
Météo & Radar Belgique (Français)
Météo & Radar France
Meteo & Radar Italia
Meteo & Radar România
Météo & Radar Suisse (Français)
Meteo & Radars Latvija
OrasOnline Lietuva
Počasí & Radar Czechia
Počasie & Radar Slovensko
Pogoda & Radar Polska
Погода & Радар Україна (українська)
Tempo & Radar Portugal
Tiempo & Radar Argentina
Tiempo & Radar España
Vejr & Radar Danmark
Vreme & Radar Slovenija
Vreme & Radar Srbija
Vrijeme & Radar Bosna
Vrijeme & Radar Crna Gora
Vrijeme & Radar Hrvatska
Време & Радар България
Времето & Радар Macedonia
Weather & Radar India (English)
Weather & Radar Ireland
Weather & Radar USA (English)
Weather & Radar USA (Español)
Weer & Radar België (Nederlands)
Weer & Radar Nederland

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList