Why did we fall in love with a snowy Christmas Day?

As temperatures reach freezing point on December 25th, dreams of a white Christmas are fading.

But why does the idea of ​​snow at Christmas have such a magical appeal?

After all, true white Christmases are pretty rare.

In fact, the last extensive snow cover on Christmas Day in Northern Ireland occurred during the big freeze of 2010.

Temperatures fell to a record -18.7C in Castlederg, County Tyrone in December.

But the longing remains.

A new one BBC Weather iPlayer documentary: Will it be a white Christmas?examines our fascination with the snowy ideal.

With weather presenters Carol Kirkwood and Matt Taylor, we explore how TV shows, films and even festive advertising have shaped our desire for a picture-perfect winter wonderland.

Could changing the date of Christmas actually increase our chances of snow?

It’s an interesting idea raised in the documentary.

For a white Christmas, all it takes is a recording of a single snowflake on the big day by an official weather station.

There have only been seven official white Christmases in Northern Ireland since 2000.

Although snowflakes are a rare treat on December 25th, they are not completely out of the question.

In fact, it was only two years ago, in 2022, that we had an official white Christmas, when Lough Fea in County Tyrone recorded wintry weather at around 17:00 GMT.

Later that evening, Glenanne in County Armagh Reportedly heavy sleet at approximately 7 p.m., providing festive conditions for some lucky residents.

Snow forms when tiny ice crystals in clouds stick together to form snowflakes. according to the Met Office.

When enough crystals stick together, they become heavy enough to fall to the ground, provided the air stays cold enough as they descend.

To produce snow, the atmosphere requires both cold temperatures and sufficient moisture – conditions that are not always compatible in Northern Ireland’s winters.

It’s a myth that temperatures have to fall below zero for it to snow, the Met Office adds.

“In fact, the heaviest snowfall in this country occurs when the air temperature is between zero and two degrees Celsius,” it said.

For the Met Office To officially declare a “White Christmas,” a single snowflake must be observed falling during the 24 hours of December 25th.

This observation can be made from an official Met Office weather station.

This rigorous verification process ensures climate record consistency and reporting security.

The winter of 2010 is considered one of the most extreme in Northern Ireland’s history.

Hillsborough in County Down holds the record for the deepest snow on Christmas Day, with 17cm covering the ground.

In the same yearKatesbridge, County Down, recorded its coldest ever Christmas Day temperature, falling to -17.5°C.

Although these extreme conditions made for an unforgettable Christmas, such events are rare.