Does it snow in Nottingham? Nottingham features a moderate oceanic climate identical to many other British cities, characterized by warm summers and chilly winters.
The peak tourist season in Nottingham is from about the middle of May through the middle of September.
However, some people ask, “When does it snow in Nottingham?” Learning about it can help you plan your trip better.
So, let’s find out more about it now.
Yes, it does snow in Nottingham, but rarely, and it occurs mostly between December and February, with an annual average of about 1.2 inches.
More about Climate in Nottingham
The climate in Nottingham is moderate and wet because of its inland location and the surrounding hills. There are pleasant summers and cold winters, much like the traditional oceanic climate of middle England.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures in Nottingham throughout the day:
| Month | Avg Temp (F) |
| Jan | 23 |
| Feb | 26 |
| Mar | 34 |
| Apr | 46 |
| May | 57 |
| Jun | 66 |
| Jul | 71 |
| Aug | 69 |
| Sep | 61 |
| Oct | 50 |
| Nov | 40 |
| Dec | 29 |
During the summer, Nottingham gets short-lived warmth, with average temperatures around 16.5°C in July.
In contrast, winters are typically long and cold, with average January temperatures of around 3°C. The wettest month in the city is June, with an average of about 67 mm, and the driest month is February, with an average of only 46 mm.
More about High and Low Temperatures in Nottingham
During the summer, heatwaves are possible in Nottingham; the record high temperature was 103.64F in July of 2022.
Winter months generally offer windy, overcast conditions.
| Month | Average Low (F) | Average High (F) |
| Jan | 17 | 32 |
| Feb | 19 | 35 |
| Mar | 27 | 44 |
| Apr | 37 | 57 |
| May | 47 | 67 |
| Jun | 56 | 76 |
| Jul | 61 | 81 |
| Aug | 60 | 79 |
| Sep | 52 | 71 |
| Oct | 41 | 60 |
| Nov | 32 | 48 |
| Dec | 23 | 37 |
Fact: Lower rainfall lasts 5.7 months, from September 30 to March 20, and January has the fewest wet days in Nottingham.
Does It Snow in Nottingham?
It can snow in Nottingham, but the question is, “How often does it snow in Nottingham?”
Well, substantial snowfall is not typical of Nottingham’s climate, but the city does see light snowfalls of 2 to 5 centimeters occasionally during the winter.
This relates to the forecast of moderate light snowfall in keeping with the climate of the United Kingdom.
When Can You Expect Snow in Nottingham?
If you want to witness some snow, you are more likely to get it in winter, mainly between December and February.
During this time, snow is likely to fall for at least 9.8 days. But, keep in mind that Nottingham does not get much snow to start with, and it usually stays below 1.7 inches per year.
Also, remember that snowfall in Nottingham is likely to change in intensity and frequency, as some years may have some snow while others may be completely devoid of it.
Here is more about the snowfall frequency and intensity in winter:
| Month | Avg Snow Days | Avg Snowfall (mm) |
| December | 2.6 | 14 |
| January | 3.8 | 19 |
| February | 1.3 | 9 |
Fact: The majority of Nottingham's yearly snowfall occurs between December and February when the city receives an average of 9.8 snowy days.
More about Historical Weather Patterns in Nottingham
Nottingham has historically experienced chilly, windy, and gloomy weather, especially during the winter months.
In the winter, the average temperature is between 36 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit, with January often being the coldest month with lows of 36 degrees and highs of 44 degrees.
Although snowfall is not unusual in Nottingham, historical data on average snow depth is lacking.
Historical Snowfall Data
Nottingham has seen snowfall episodes over the past decade, albeit the frequency fluctuates from year to year.
Strong gusts in the winter can blow snow into drifts, causing transportation disruptions.
It is worth noting that, like the rest of the UK, Nottingham’s climate is unpredictable.
Therefore, the frequency and severity of snowfall occurrences can shift from year to year.
Factors Influencing Snowfall in Nottingham
There are a number of variables that can affect whether or not it snows in Nottingham.
The intensity of arctic air masses, the amount of moisture from the Atlantic, and the urban heat island effect can all influence how long snow lasts in a city.
Let’s find out more about these factors:
Atlantic Influence
The climate of Nottingham, especially the chance of snowfall, is heavily influenced by the prevailing westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean.
During the winter, these winds usually carry maritime air masses that are wet and rather pleasant across the UK.
If the temperature is low enough, snow will fall when cold air masses from the north collide with the warmer, moister air from the Atlantic.
An Important Consideration
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is an important indicator of how much the Atlantic affects European climate.
Weak winds from the Arctic weaken the north polar air further, whereas the north polar air weakens the south polar air.
An increase in the southward migration of cold air increases the likelihood of snowfall.
Fact: Research shows that in winters with a negative NAO, southern parts of the United Kingdom, including Nottingham, may receive more snow than in winters with a positive NAO.
Altitude
Nottingham itself sits at a low elevation, around 46 meters above sea level.
To the west, the Peak District reaches altitudes of about 636 meters and is just as close. This massive elevation change is a crucial factor in the region’s susceptibility to snowfall.
Precipitation is more likely to fall as snow at higher elevations due to the cooler temperatures found there. Consequently, the Peak District’s higher elevations and more exposed areas are more likely to get snowfall than Nottingham’s lower elevations.
An Important Consideration
In addition, altitude affects snow accumulation more than snowfall rates themselves.
As a result of the persistently cold weather at higher elevations in the area around Nottingham, snow tends to accumulate more in upland locations.
And that is despite these areas receiving more snowfall due to their cooler temperatures.
Fact: It is important to note, however, that when easterly winds blow, cold air is forced down from the North Sea and can cause snow to fall even at lower elevations in Nottingham.
Urban Heat Island
Nottingham’s urban environment is subject to the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
Because of factors such as heat-retaining surfaces like concrete and asphalt, heat outputs from buildings, and a lack of flora, cities tend to be warmer than their rural surroundings.
The UHI effect causes a warmer microclimate within places like Nottingham, raising average temperatures by about 1 to 3 degrees Celsius.
This higher temperature lowers the possibility of snowfall.
The Impact of Climate Change
Variations in snowfall in Nottingham are likely the result of climate change.
As the Earth’s average temperature rises, we can anticipate a shift in the seasonal distribution of precipitation, with rain replacing snow in the winter.
Higher temperatures cause more water to evaporate from the land and sea, which in turn causes more intense storms and a shift in where it rains.
Localized differences may occur due to temperature fluctuations and altering storm paths, but in general, warmer areas tend to favor rain over snow.
Future Weather Predictions in Nottingham, UK
Forecasts of climate change imply a rise in the likelihood of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, in the United Kingdom.
You should expect a 14% increase in winter precipitation and a 16% decrease in summer precipitation.
Depending on how these changes in temperature and precipitation patterns play out, they may affect how often and how much snow falls in Nottingham.
Even though it is difficult to estimate how much snow Nottingham may get in the future, it is important to be aware of the effects climate change could have on the city’s snowfall patterns.
Fact: The East Midlands might see a mean summer temperature increase of 2.5 degrees Celsius and a mean winter temperature increase of 2.2 degrees Celsius by the year 2050.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Nottingham? Yes, it can snow in Nottingham but do not expect it to snow a lot. Summer continues to be the best time to visit Nottingham due to its pleasant weather.
Many factors can contribute to low snowfall, including the urban heat island effect, Arctic air masses, and Atlantic. Moreover, future precipitation may change from snow to rain as a result of climate change.
Nevertheless, light precipitation of 2 to 5 millimeters is possible, despite the infrequent significant snowfall.
