Snow and -4 to -8C nights is by no means uncommon in April. There have been many recent April’s including the very recent years of 2015, 2016 and now 2018 which has seen cold weather.

It sure was a cold April 2nd yesterday. The below maximums were mostly set during the morning as the air steadily cooled through the afternoon with rain changing over to snow by late PM/evening.

Accumulating snow is quite common above 200 metres throughout April and falling snow is also quite common even to low levels. However… lying snow at low levels ISN’T as common. Notice it’s snowing and snowing quite heavy at lower levels but it’s struggling to lie.

Examples of it snowing but not lying. Common at this time of year.

https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/981091659269238786

and just a cold rain for parts.

https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/981059355276660741

With a slight elevation increase, snow is lying on grassy surfaces.

https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/981057831926423552

Auchterader this morning.

Fenwick Moor in Ayrshire.

https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/980879927896616960

I had a bit of a twitter rant last night when someone suggested I was wrong in saying April snow at LOW LEVELS was rare. It’s all about definition. Snow falling ISN’T uncommon but LYING snow at low levels is.

My wife and I went shopping this morning. It was 2C with wind and snow but the snow didn’t lie. With some slight elevation it was dusting the grass and cars.

Last night, even in Cumbernauld, it was strange seeing lying snow and daylight at 7.15pm.

Meanwhile over higher ground…

https://twitter.com/theiaincameron/status/981088015517933568

https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/981065374790713344

Warmer spring-like air is travelling north and shall even reach southern Scotland later today.

The low gets deflected SE over the next 24 hours so the snow and cold which gets shoved up into northern Scotland shall return southwards again later Wednesday into Thursday with another shot at a rain, sleet and snow mix at low levels across central Scotland.

https://twitter.com/bbcweather/status/981079625857191936

Articles from 2 years ago April Snow & Below Freezing Nights Isn’t As Uncommon As You’d Think 

Amazing Late April Snow Scenes Across Europe, End In Sight!

I wish to end today’s post by saying that while low level including sea level LYING snow is very rare, it’s not unprecedented and has happened in years gone by.

Tags: april snow