Does it snow in Liverpool? Liverpool draws millions of tourists thanks to its many exciting attractions.
From the museum dedicated to the city’s most famous offspring, the Beatles, to the Tate Liverpool collection of modern art, you can see and do a lot here.
However, many vacationers worry about the weather, particularly in the winter, and ask, “Does it snow in Liverpool England?”
Let’s find out more about it now.
Liverpool has wet winters and it does snow on occasion, with an annual average of about 12 snow days.
More about the Climate in Liverpool
Mild summers and chilly winters are hallmarks of Liverpool’s oceanic climate, which is characteristic of the northwest of England.
Because of its location so close to the Irish Sea, the climate is pleasant throughout the year.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures in Liverpool:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. Temp (F) | 41°F | 41°F | 44°F | 48°F | 53°F | 58°F | 62°F | 61°F | 57°F | 52°F | 46°F | 42°F |
Summer and Winter in Liverpool
In July and August, the average maximum temperature in Liverpool is around 66°F. Summertime highs of 86°F or higher are unusual, though, but possible.
But, those cold evenings are a real treat.
The winters are cool without being frigid. January sees average highs of 46°F and lows of approximately 39°F overnight.
Here is more about high and low temperatures in Liverpool throughout the year:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. Low (F) | 37°F | 37°F | 39°F | 42°F | 47°F | 52°F | 56°F | 55°F | 52°F | 47°F | 42°F | 38°F |
| Avg. High (F) | 45°F | 45°F | 49°F | 54°F | 59°F | 64°F | 67°F | 67°F | 62°F | 56°F | 50°F | 46°F |
Fact: Liverpool receives about the same monthly precipitation, but October through January are often the wettest months, and it is not uncommon for it to drizzle or be cloudy out even in summer.
Does It Snow in Liverpool?
Yes, it snows in Liverpool – not much but it is possible.
Liverpool is a major port city at the mouth of the River Mersey in the northwest of England. It usually enjoys a temperate maritime climate with cool winters and mild summers.
When Does it Snow in Liverpool?
It snows in Liverpool but not regularly because the temperature of the Irish Sea moderates the city’s seasonal temperatures.
Occasionally though, they reach extremes.
There have been summers in the high eighties Fahrenheit (30-35°C) and winter days with air frost and freezing temperatures that are well below average even at that time of the year.
That said, there’s likely to be snowfall somewhere in Liverpool at some point during a typical winter, usually sleety light flurries with less than an inch of accumulation.
Significant amounts are infrequent but they have happened.
Fact: Winter runs from December to February, but snow has been recorded as early as November and April.
The Impact of Geography on Snowfall in Liverpool
Liverpool is the fourth largest city in the United Kingdom and sits in the Mersey basin on the edge of Liverpool Bay on the Irish Sea.
Its highest point (230ft/70m) is on a sandstone ridge at Everton Hill and the city gently slopes downwards to sea level. The low elevation is one of the reasons why snowfall is rare in this part of the world.
The ridge forms a natural boundary to the West Lancashire Coastal Plain, a flat agricultural region surrounded by hills and mountains with the Lake District to its north. The terrain also makes it unlikely to snow.
How is Winter in Liverpool?
Typically, Liverpool winters are cloudy and wet with a prevailing west wind.
Daytime temperatures anywhere between 36°F and 54°F are normal and they rarely fall below 38°F even at night.
However, the city cools as the temperature of the water in the sea and in the river begins falling steadily from December, from 54°F to 42°F by the end of February.
Here is a bit about the winter average in Liverpool:
| Winter AveragesLiverpool UK | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | March | April |
| Low (F) | 42.3 | 37.6 | 37.0 | 36.9 | 39.0 | 42.1 |
| Snow days | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Historical Snow Events in Liverpool
There have been many instances of snow in the history of Liverpool.
For instance:
| Jan – Feb 1947 | The Big Freeze. The coldest winter in the UK on record. Blizzards, gales, and temperatures below freezing. The sea at nearby Southport froze. Widespread snow, with drifts 20ft deep. Electricity supply failed, transport and travel ground to a halt. People struggled as prices ‘shot up’. Icebergs were seen on the Mersey. |
| 26th Dec 1962 – Mar 63 | The Big Snow hit the UK. The River Mersey froze over as blizzards and icy snow made conditions all over the city treacherous. On January 8th, 1982, temperatures suddenly nosedived and conditions worsened. Any travel was impossible and commuters were left stranded. Temperature, -13°C (8.5°F). |
| Dec 1981 | Widespread snow on December 17th caused major disruption across the city. Trains were suspended and schools closed early as the entire region was blanketed in thick snow. Temperatures plummeted to 12.2oF (-11°C) during December and by mid-January to 17.6°F (-8°C). |
| Winter 2010-11 | Widespread snow on December 17th caused major disruption across the city. Trains were suspended and schools closed early as the entire region was blanketed in thick snow. Temperatures plummeted to 12.2oF (-11°C) during December and by mid-January to 17.6°F (-8°C). |
Fact: The average annual rainfall in Liverpool is around 800 millimeters (31 inches)
How Much Snow Does Liverpool Get Each Year?
Although Liverpool does experience weather extremes, because of its sheltered position and proximity to the Irish Sea, significant snowfall is rare. Usually, there’s not enough to record.
Where Can You Find Snow in Liverpool?
Liverpool is a coastal city with industrial, commercial, and business centers close to the River.
However, its urbanizations stretch several miles inland over the Everton Hill ridge and away from the influence of water, closer to the open flat plains.
If there is any snow, it is these cooler residential areas that are more likely to receive it.
Why Is Snowfall Rare in Liverpool?
Liverpool misses the snow most years even when there’s snow several inches thick on its outskirts and surrounding towns and villages further inland.
There are several reasons for this and together they make significant snowfall in Liverpool rare.
Humidity
Liverpool is a wet city, especially in winter, making December the most humid month.
On average the relative humidity is 86.0%.
Although snow needs some water vapor for ice crystals to form, the collective heat from too much hampers the process.
Topography
Liverpool is in a basin surrounded by mountains that protect it and the West Lancashire Plains from the worst of the winter weather.
Usually, this ring of mountains blocks the very cold air masses that move down from the Arctic.
However, every few years they are forced on a different track and shift further north into a gap and onto the West Lancs plain between the ranges of the Lake District and the north-south running Pennines.
Ocean Currents
Being a coastal region, Liverpool is heavily influenced by the rising and falling sea temperatures.
It is the reason why the region is so wet. Although not on the open Atlantic, the Irish Sea is connected and is still a significant body of water.
Its warm water current, the North Atlantic Current (NAC), part of the Gulf Stream, keeps the west coast of Great Britain and neighboring Ireland a few degrees warmer than elsewhere in the north.
Warm Winds
The NAC is a boundary current that brings massive amounts of warm water north to Europe from the Pacific.
The NAC is a broad, shallow, and slow-moving body of warm water that creates warm moisture-laden winds that are not conducive to snow but heat most of Europe.
However, the NAC is known to wildly meander under the influence of marine topography.
The changes in course are reflected in changes in coastal temperatures as a consequence, the NAC is also referred to as the North Atlantic Drift.
Fact: Without the NAC, Europe, including Liverpool in the UK, would be as cold as Canada.
An Urban Heat Island
Big cities like Liverpool give off heat. They are always a few degrees warmer although the heat is not evenly distributed.
Instead, human activity, construction materials, and HVAC systems create urban heat islands each material within them absorbing heat and releasing it slowly.
This creates a layer of warm air causing snowflakes to melt.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Liverpool? Because of its moderate coastal environment, Liverpool seldom experiences heavy snowfall, however, small snow flurries are typical during the winter.
Large snow occurrences are quite uncommon in the urban area because of its low height and close proximity to the temperate Irish Sea. But in the past, during very cold winters, the city has had huge snowstorms.
Overall, Liverpool’s rich culture, architecture, and maritime legacy are worthwhile explorations any time of year, regardless of the weather.
