Home / Editor's Pick /

Did you know? Seven facts about snow

Did you know?
Seven facts about snow

Cairngorm Mountains, Scottish Highlands.Cairngorm Mountains, Scottish Highlands.

From myth busters on Earth to findings on Mars, here are seven facts you may not know about snow.

1. The snowiest place in the UK and Ireland

It will be no surprise to hear that Scotland is the snowiest place in the UK and Ireland, with the Cairngorm Chairlift weather station recording an average of 76.2 days of snow per year.

2. Deepest snow?

The deepest snow ever recorded was near Ruthin, North Wales during the winter of 1946-47. In the March of 1947 1.65m of lying snow was recorded here, thanks to severe drifts.

3. Snow isn't white

It's actually totally clear! Although snowflakes appear white, ice is translucent, meaning light only passes through indirectly, so diffuse reflection through the many sides of the ice crystals causes it to seem white in colour.

4. How fast?

Snow falls at an average speed of 1-4mph, taking around an hour to reach the ground. If any snowflakes become supercooled, and heavier, they can fall a little faster than your regular snowflake.

5. It's never too cold to snow!

It can never be too cold, but it can be too dry!

6. Snow on Mars

According to NASA, during the summer in the north of the planet there could be violent snow storms. With clouds and subsurface ice detected on Mars, snow is certainly plausible.

Scientists also found a cloud of carbon dioxide snowflakes over the southern pole of Mars.

7. Dust must be present

The cold water droplet needs to have dust or pollen particles to freeze onto in the sky to create an ice crystal.

Artificial snow used for winter sportsread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
This might also interest you
Weather map showing a thunderstorm cell and lightning over the east coast of Queensland.
Tuesday 25 November 2025

Severe thunderstorms

Huge hailstorm hits eastern Australia
Split image showing two weather scenes — left: vivid orange sunset over a bridge in Inverness; right: wave-like Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds above a motorway on the England–Scotland border.
Sunday 23 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Sun-soaked views from the week
Temperature map of Europe showing wintry conditions in the north-east, and summer warmth in the south-east.
Friday 21 November 2025

Winter meets summer

Large temperature contrasts in Europe
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList