England has probably not experienced as many White Christmases as you may think. English people tend to have a rosy memory of a white Christmas and associate it with their childhood. As such, most English people think that, in the past, there was more snow at Christmas than these days. It always snowed at Christmas, didn't it?

A true White Christmas

Firstly let's make it clear as to just what defines a white Christmas. In order for there to be an official White Christmas in England it is important just when and where any snow falls. If just one snow flake falls in the 24 hours of 25th December it is officially a white Christmas. This snow can be mixed with rain and it will still count. There are various official meteorological centres up and down the country which record the weather for these purposes.

The frequency of White Christmases in England.

Looking back it is easy to forget that the actual snow you remember may have fallen on Christmas Eve or perhaps Boxing Day. It is the snowfall on Christmas Day which is important for such statistics as the frequency of a white Christmas.

For the three hundred years from 1550 until 1850 England experienced a mini Ice Age. During this time the weather was much colder and snow more frequent. This period of time is often what is being portrayed when we see images of a White Christmas in England.

The timing of Christmas means that, especially these days, wintry, snowy weather is far more likely after Christmas. However as our climate changes snowfalls are becoming less frequent and much lighter.

Statistically there were only seven White Christmases in the whole of the 20th Century. That may be hard to believe although it is true. The actual figures do vary though if you include all of the British Isles.

Of course this refers to official white Christmases as recorded by the meteorological offices. The last official White Christmas in England was in 2004.

The south of England tends to have milder winters and see less snow whilst the northern parts of England usually experience heavier snowfalls. It is impossible to generalise about snowfall in England especially in relation to having a white Christmas. There is no set pattern as to such weather.

One thing is for sure, in our mind's eye we experience a white Christmas far more frequently than we actually do. With global warming and climate change our winters are becoming so much milder that currently a white Christmas is a rare event in England.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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