The Christmas period in the United Kingdom is a time of anticipation, not just for festivities but for the weather itself.
From dreams of a white Christmas to the reality of rain, wind, or even unseasonable warmth, the festive season brings a remarkable variety of weather. Drawing on historical records for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, this article explores the patterns, extremes and memorable moments that have shaped the nation’s Christmas weather.
Christmas Eve records
Christmas Eve has occasionally brought unseasonably mild weather, with the highest temperature recorded being 15.6°C at Gordon Castle (Banff) and Craibstone (Aberdeenshire) in 1931. In contrast, the lowest temperature recorded on Christmas Eve was in 2010, when Castlederg (Tyrone) experienced a bitter -18.7°C. Rainfall can also be significant, with Ennerdale Black Sail (Cumbria) recording a remarkable 212.6mm in 2017, making it the wettest Christmas Eve on record.
Snow is less common, but deep snow has been recorded, such as 47cm at Kindrogan (Perthshire) in 1981. Wind extremes have also been observed, with Aberdaron (Gwynedd) experiencing gusts of 97 knots (112mph) in 1997. Despite the season’s reputation for gloom, there have been bright spells, including 7.5 hours of sunshine at Sidmouth (Devon) in 1944.
Christmas Day records
Christmas Day is often the focus of festive weather hopes, and it has delivered a wide range of conditions. The warmest Christmas Day on record was 15.6°C at Killerton (Devon) in 1920, with more recent warmth including 15.2°C at Hawarden (Clwyd) in 2015. The lowest temperature recorded on Christmas Day was a frigid -18.3°C at Gainford (Durham) in 1878. Rain is a frequent visitor, with Capel Curig (Gwynedd) recording 165.4mm in 2015, the wettest Christmas Day on record.
Snow remains a cherished hope, and the deepest snow recorded was 47cm at Kindrogan (Perthshire) in 1981. In 1995, 221 sites reported snow, making it the Christmas with the most widespread snow cover. Wind can also be severe, with Sella Ness (Shetland) recording a gust of 88 knots (101mph) in 2011. Sunshine is possible, too, with up to 7.5 hours recorded at Penzance (Cornwall), Aberporth (Dyfed), Faversham (Kent), and Camborne (Cornwall) in various years.
Boxing Day records
Boxing Day has also seen its share of weather extremes. The highest temperature recorded was 16.1°C at Banff (Banffshire) in 2011, with 15.7°C at Santon Downham (Suffolk) in 2015 also notable. The lowest temperature recorded on Boxing Day was -18.0°C at Tomatin (Inverness) in 1995.
Past Boxing Days have seen heavy rainfall too, with 119.1mm recorded at Venford (Devon) in 1979. Snow depth has reached impressive levels, such as 45cm at Kindrogan (Perthshire) in 1981 and Cae Poeth (Gwynedd) in 2010. Wind extremes include 95 knots (109mph) at Salsburgh (Lanarkshire) in 1998 and Aberdaron (Gwynedd) in 2013. Boxing Day has also been bright, with Bognor Regis (West Sussex) enjoying 7.7 hours of sunshine in 1995.
The records reveal regional patterns and recurring locations for weather extremes. For instance, St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly frequently appears as the warmest site, while more northerly sites such as Altnaharra (Sutherland) and Castlederg (Tyrone) are regular contenders for the coldest. High ground stations in the north west are often among the wettest, reflecting the influence of local geography and prevailing weather systems. Stations in the high ground of Scotland are expectedly frequent for snow depth records.
While the dream of a white Christmas endures, the data shows that the festive period is more often marked by mild, wet, or variable weather. The influence of Atlantic weather systems, the position of the jet stream, and occasional incursions of Arctic air all play a role in shaping the Christmas experience. Recent years have seen a mix of conditions, from the mild Christmases of 2015 and 2011 to the snowy and cold spells of 2010 and 2009. This variability is a hallmark of the UK’s climate, making each festive season unique.
You can explore rainfall and temperature data for every Christmas Day since 1960 using our interactive table below. Click the dates to see the weather stats from that year. You can also use the dropdown menu to adjust your selection.
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