February 2009 United Kingdom snowstorm
Satellite image of the snowfall in England and Wales (Click here for false colour image)
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| Type | Winter storm |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 February 2009 |
| Dissipated | 13 February 2009 |
| Lowest pressure | 992 mbar (hPa) |
| Lowest temperature | −18.4 °C (−1.1 °F) in Aviemore, Scotland |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 55 centimetres (22.0 inches) in Okehampton, Devon |
| Damage | £1.3 billion (US$2.1 billion) |
| Areas affected | British Isles and parts of Western Europe |
The February 2009 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall was a prolonged period of snowfall that began on 1 February 2009. Some areas experienced their largest snowfall levels in 18 years. Snow fell over much of Western Europe. The United Kingdom's Met Office and Ireland's Met Éireann issued severe weather warnings in anticipation of the snowfall. More than 30 centimetres (12 in) of snow fell on parts of the North Downs and over 20 centimetres (8 in) in parts of the London area. Such snow accumulation is uncommon in London. On the morning of 6 February the majority of Great Britain and Ireland had snow cover, with the area surrounding the Bristol Channel (South Wales (Cardiff area) and South West England (Bristol area)) being most affected – 55 centimetres (22 in) had settled overnight around Okehampton, Devon, South West England with similar depths in South Wales. In Ireland the highest totals were recorded around East Kildare and Wicklow County's were up to 11 inches (28 cm) fell around Naas, County Kildare and even more along the Wicklow Mountains. The last time such widespread snowfall affected Britain was in February 1991. On the 2nd a total of 32 centimetres (13 in) had fallen in Leatherhead, Surrey just south of the M25. Also 30 centimetres (12 in) had fallen over the South Downs and 26 centimetres (10 in) in higher areas of Brighton.
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