Snow in Southern England: Rare, Light, But Sometimes Heavy

Yes, but rarely and lightly. Southern England's maritime climate — warmed by the Gulf Stream — makes significant snow uncommon.

Typical Pattern

• Frequency: ~5–15 snow days/year (mostly light flurries)
• Accumulation: Rarely >2–3 cm; often melts on contact
• London average: 2.5 cm annual snowfall
• Timing: Jan–Feb most likely; Dec and Mar possible

Exceptional Events

• Feb 1991: 20–30 cm across SE England — transport paralysis
• Jan 1987: 50 cm in parts of South — "blizzard of '87"
• Feb 2009: 10–20 cm — widespread disruption
• Dec 2010: Coldest December in 100 years — persistent snow

Why So Little?

• Maritime air masses: moist but mild
• Urban heat islands (London +5°C vs. rural)
• Low elevation (mostly <100m)
• Climate change: declining frequency since 1990s

When it snows in Surrey or Hampshire, the region stops — no infrastructure for rare events. Northerners laugh; locals build snowmen.