1:00 AM 14th December 2024
nature
Dreaming Of A White Christmas?
These UK Cities Are Most Likely toWake Up to Snow
![Image by Zulfiqar Ali from Pixabay]()
Image by Zulfiqar Ali from Pixabay
As the festive season approaches, many of us are dreaming of a magical white Christmas. But which UK cities are most likely to see snow on December 25th? According to the Met Office, a white Christmas is more likely this year as the UK braces for heavy snowfall throughout mid-December, with up to 15cm of snow forecast for parts of Scotland.
With this in mind,
Betsson has analysed historical data from 2000 to 2021—examining snow days, depths and Christmas snowfall—to reveal the UK cities most likely to wake up to a snowy Christmas.
Key findings:
Aberdeen takes the crown with the highest chance of waking up to a snowy Christmas morning, with 74 snow days recorded in December over 20 years
Yorkshire’s, Ripon and Bradford follow closely behind with 9% historical snowy Christmas days
The north of the UK emerges as a winter wonderland this December, with Scotland and Northern England having the highest chances of snowfall.
The results: The UK cities most likely to have a white Christmas
# | City | Number of Snow Days in December | Avg Snow Days in December (per year) | Historical % of Snowy Christmas Days | Avg Snow Depth on Christmas (cm) | White Christmas Score /10 |
1. | Aberdeen | 74 | 3.36 | 13.64% | 5.28 | 9.68 |
2. | Ripon | 47 | 2.14 | 9.09% | 6.05 | 6.29 |
=3. | Bradford | 59 | 2.68 | 9.09% | 4.70 | 6.23 |
=3. | Leicester | 46 | 2.09 | 9.09% | 6.71 | 6.23 |
5. | York | 48 | 2.18 | 9.09% | 5.10 | 6.16 |
6. | Newcastle | 52 | 2.36 | 9.09% | 4.59 | 6.07 |
7. | Dunfermline | 50 | 2.27 | 9.09% | 4.28 | 5.93 |
8. | Stoke-on-Trent | 59 | 2.68 | 9.09% | 3.96 | 5.90 |
9. | Durham | 49 | 2.23 | 9.09% | 4.17 | 5.87 |
10. | Edinburgh | 46 | 2.09 | 9.09% | 3.65 | 5.44 |
Aberdeen is the city most likely to have a White Christmas this December
Betsson can reveal that Aberdeen is the city most likely to see snow on Christmas with a White Christmas Score of 9.68/10, making it the UK’s snowiest city this festive season. Known for its frosty winters, Aberdeen enjoys an average of 3.36 snow days each December—36% more than Ripon, which ranks second with 2.14 days. The city also boasts an impressive average snow depth of 5.28 cm on Christmas Day, the third highest in the rankings. Historically, 13.64% of Aberdeen’s Christmases have been snowy, 5% higher than its closest rivals, Ripon and Bradford (both at 9.09%). Aberdeen’s chilly climate and proximity to the snow-prone Scottish Highlands make it the ultimate destination for a picture-perfect white Christmas this year.
Ripon ranks second with 6 cm of snowfall in December
Ripon secures its place as the second-most likely city to wake up to a snowy Christmas, with a White Christmas Score of 6.29/10. While it sees fewer snow days in December—averaging just 2.14 compared to Aberdeen’s 3.36—Ripon shines with an impressive average Christmas Day snow depth of 6.05 cm, 40% deeper than Edinburgh’s 3.65 cm. Historically, 9.09% of Ripon’s Christmases have been snowy, with the city benefitting from its northern location and susceptibility to Arctic weather systems, making it a snow lover’s haven. Ripon’s cobbled streets and grand cathedral offer a picture-perfect backdrop for a white Christmas.
Bradford and Leicester have witnessed 9.1% of Snowy Christmas mornings
Bradford and Leicester, share third place with a white Christmas Score of 6.23/10. Bradford averages 2.68 snow days each December, 20% more than Ripon (2.14), while Leicester sees 2.09 snow days on average, tying with Edinburgh for the fewest among the top cities. However, Leicester makes up for this with an impressive Christmas Day snow depth of 6.71 cm—the highest on the list—beating both Aberdeen with 21% more snowfall (5.28 cm) and Bradford by 30% (4.70 cm). Bradford’s higher altitude contributes to its snowy charm, with 9.09% of its Christmases marked by snowfall. Meanwhile, Leicester’s central location and exposure to cold air coming from the east create a frosty environment.
Edinburgh rounds off the top ten list
The Scottish capital, Edinburgh, rounds off the top ten list with a White Christmas Score of 5.44/10. Although it sees an average of just 2.09 snow days each December, Edinburgh’s average Christmas snow depth of 3.65 cm—31% deeper than Stirling’s 2.51cm—adds to its frosty charm. Its proximity to the Pentland Hills ensures colder conditions and an elevated chance of snowfall compared to many other cities on the list. From the snow-dusted Christmas markets to the silhouette of Edinburgh Castle, the city’s seasonal atmosphere is second to none.