Home / Weather News /

UK awakes to a winter wonderland

10:00
31 March 2022

Thundersnow also appeared
UK awakes to a winter wonderland

snowy beach© picture alliance

Large parts of the UK woke to wintery scenes this morning as snow flurries passed over the country.

Around 5 cm of snow fell at higher altitudes but many regions saw a dusting of the white stuff while patchy snow continues today.

Weather warnings for ice were in effect for northeast Scotland and have now spread along eastern Scotland into England.

Settings for external content

Privacy policy

Some areas even saw the rare phenomenon of thundersnow.

These thunderstorms which produce snow rather than rain are rare because the two need different conditions to form.

Thunderstorms need unstable air, which means cold air must be on top of warm air, whereas when it snows, the air is usually cold throughout the atmosphere.

However, sometimes in a winter storm there can be a small layer of slightly less-cold air, and this can be enough to trigger a thundery snowstorm.

The weather was joined by freezing cold temperatures with a low of -5.6C recorded in the highlands of Scotland.

Remaining snow patches remain throughout today but should largely clear by Friday.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Wind radar and warning map for strong gusting winds across south-east Ireland, Wales, and the English south coast.
Tuesday 15 July 2025

For UK and Ireland

Pressure system prompts wind warnings
Split image showing storm clouds over a coastal town on the left, and a circumzenithal arc on the right.
Sunday 13 July 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer warmth and sights
Flood water and weather radar showing heavy rain and thunderstorms over the southern US.
Thursday 10 July 2025

Downpours & flash floods

More severe weather in the USA
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday 4 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Gusty and wet end to the week
Monday 14 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Turning gusty as temperatures ease
Thursday 3 July 2025

Gusty too

Rainfall passes through the north
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement