Does it snow in London? London in Winter
London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Imagine how beautiful Big Ben or Buckingham Palace would look covered in snow.
But does it snow in London?
As a UK resident and someone who visits London regularly, I feel confident to provide an answer as to whether London gets snowy winters or not.
Does it snow in London?
Yes! It DOES snow in London. This is great news for snow lovers and anyone who has dreamed of seeing London with a white coat.
That being said, it doesn’t snow too often, usually only once or twice per year.
But look how beautiful it looks! This is Piccadilly Circus in the snow 😍
You won’t quite get Canadian or Russian-style winters in London, but you do get the occasional snowfall.
It’s rare enough that Londoners still get excited to see snow falling from the sky!
So in answer to “Does it snow in London”- yes, it does, a few times a year.
When does it snow in London?
Snow is most likely to occur in London during the winter season from December until March.
That being said, you can experience some snow in London anytime from October until April time. The UK’s weather is notoriously bad to be fair!
Statistically speaking, the highest chance of snow in London is in the month of January.
What a beautiful way to start the year with sights like this. Wow!
How cold is London in Winter?
London in winter can get pretty cold. Relatively speaking. British people are famous for complaining about the weather, after all.
Here is an overview of the average daily temperature throughout the winter months in London.
| Month | Average Daily Temperature |
|---|---|
| December | 5°C / 41°F |
| January | 4.5°C / 40.1°F |
| February | 5°C / 41°F |
| March | 6.5°C / 43.7°F |
As you can see, although you won’t need to wrap up like an Eskimo, it can get pretty nippy in the evenings and at night, so make sure you have warm enough clothes.
The evenings are very long in the UK in winter, with the sun setting around 4 pm.
London Weather in December
From the table above, the average daily temperature of London in December is 5°C / 41°F. This is made up of an average daily high of 8°C / 46.4°F and an average daily low of 2°C / 35.6°F.
You can expect the cold to be quite nippy and you might need to wear gloves and a hat when it gets dark.
London has a White Christmas from time to time, but it almost certainly has a cold one.
London Weather in January
January is the coldest month in London. As you know, the average temperature is 4.5°C / 40.1°F and this is made up by an average daily high of 7°C / 44.6°F but an average daily low of 2°C / 35.6°F.
This is why January is the month where snow is most likely to happen, as it is the coldest. It’s also the month with the most precipitation out of the winter months.
It will reach freezing most nights, but this usually just results in ice, not snow.
London Weather in February
The weather in February pretty much matches that of December in London, in terms of temperature.
But as the days are lighter and it rains a lot less, you can feel the seasons slowly moving towards the end of winter.
February is a nice time to visit London as it isn’t too cold but it’s equally not that warm either. I took a day trip and saw London in a day in February once, great experience!
London Weather in March
And March is when the weather begins to get better. With an average daily temperature of 6.5°C / 43.7°F, the highest of these 4 months.
It’s unlikely to snow in March, but not impossible. It snowed when my mum was born and she was born in April! It’s one of my Granda’s favourite stories.
March is another good option for visiting London, as there can be quite a few sunny days scattered throughout the month.
5 Things to do in London in Winter
If you are visiting London in winter, you may have been hoping the answer was yes to “Does it snow in London?” as you hoped for a winter wonderland. Here are 5 of the best things to do in London in winter, and funnily enough, the first one is quite literally Winter Wonderland.
1) Have fun at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Every year Hyde Park transforms into a Winter Wonderland, with Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, Santa’s grottos and many more Christmas festivities. It’s the most popular thing amongst Londoners to do in the winter season, and you can see why.
2) Celebrate New Year’s
The fireworks in London for New Year’s are absolutely incredible. Some of the best in the world for sure. Seeing the impressive display above the most popular attractions like the London Eye or Big Ben is a sight not to forget.
3) Head to Southbank Centre Winter Market
This is THE place to go for food in London during winter. It’s a foodie’s heaven! There are hundreds of amazing stalls and pop-up shops to choose from, each as delicious as the last. Of course, they have the classics like mulled wine or Dutch pancakes, but there are so many more options too.
4) Go ice skating in Canary Wharf
Ice skating is one of the best things to do in winter, anywhere in the world, and London is no different. Canary Wharf pops up its own ice rink. Imagine ice skating with a view of those beautiful buildings. Wow!
5) Spend time in an igloo
During the winter, igloos (no, not real ones made of ice) pop up all across London.
These cosy huts provide a nice place to relax and unwind, or to have a delicious meal.
Whatever you choose to do, it’s a fun, unique and quirky thing to do in London in winter.
Does it snow in London: FAQ
Below are a number of questions related to “Does it snow in London?” along with my answers.
Which months does it snow in London?
It’s most likely to snow in London during the winter months of December and January when there is the most precipitation in the city.
Does it ever snow in London at Christmas?
By the Met Office’s definition of a “White Christmas” (where a snowflake falls), London had a White Christmas in 2021, 2020 and 2017. So yes, it snows in London at Christmas quite regularly.
Does it snow in London every year?
While there’s obviously no way of guaranteeing snow, London does tend to get one or two snow days each year.
Why does London not get snow?
London does get snow! It snows in London from time to time, but not very often. Usually only once or twice annually.
Does it snow in London: Conclusion
And there you have it! A complete guide to “Does it snow in London?”.
Remember- the answer is yes, it does snow in London.
Just not very often. But once or twice a year is better than none at all.
Fingers crossed you get to see London with snow falling from the sky! Have a great trip 🙂
