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Weather Home UK World Sports Coast and Sea Climate Change Features Understanding Weather Sport and Leisure Health and Culture History, Literature & Religion Science and Nature Coast and Sea Weatherwise About BBC Weather Site FAQ About the BBC	White Christmas Origins

		Most of us dream of having a 'white Christmas' but aren't aware of its origins. Read about the origins of 'white Christmas'.	Key Points Between 1550 and 1850 the UK experienced particularly severe and persistent winters. Nowadays the coldest winter months tend to be January and February, so Christmas is at the beginning of the season for snow. Future winters in the UK are going to be up to 30% wetter than today. Also in BBC Weather The Perfect Snowman Snowflakes Events 2006 - 2007 Winter Predictions BBC Weather Christmas Christmas 2006 Disclaimer The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

	Where did it all start? So where did all the fuss about 'White Christmases' start? Most of us have seen far fewer 'White Christmases' than non-white Christmases'. However, we still send Christmas cards depicting scenes like those described in Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', and children who have never seen a White Christmas draw pictures of snowy Christmas scenes. Christmas past - the little Ice Age Between 1550 and 1850 the UK experienced particularly severe and persistent winters. There was a greater frequency of easterly weather conditions that brought cold air from mainland Europe. It was common for rivers to freeze over, even the Thames, and was the time of Frost Fairs. Christmas present - mild Today, the coldest winter months tend to be January and February, so Christmas is at the beginning of the season for snow. The sun today is stronger than it was in the 17th century and when combined with the increase in greenhouse gases, winters today tend to be milder. Christmas future - wet but not white Current research suggests that due to climate change, future winters in the UK are going to be up to 30% wetter than today. Snowfall will decrease dramatically throughout the UK by 2080 and the annual average temperature across the UK could be up to 3.5°C higher. Dreaming of a white Christmas? If current research is correct, it looks like dreaming might be as close as we get to seeing snow at Christmas, if at all, unless you count "Dickens-esque" Christmas cards. So if you see snow, and it does settle, get out and make a snowman quick! When temperatures are nearer to freezing, the snow that falls is wetter. If there is no wind the flakes can be large (up to 7cm across) as they can be made of a large number of snow crystals.

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White Christmas Origins