It’s a rare sight and the weather has to be especially bad, but it’s a pretty sight if you catch it! Have you seen snow on the beach?
In the 1970’s and 80’s it wasn’t unusual to have several inches of snow that lay on the ground for several days. Yet in the 21st century an inch or two is considered to be severe weather. Is it because we’re all getting older? Or the effects of global warming? Because snowfall in general just doesn’t seem to be as thick as it once did!
Why do you rarely see snow on the beach?
There might be more snowfall at times in inland areas. But here at the coast the weather has to be particularly bad for it to gather in any kind of depth, or stick for any length of time.
The reason is salt. Good old Sodium Chloride, it’s used all over the world to melt snow and ice.
Here on the Fylde Coast, as in other seaside towns, the air contains a higher concentration of salt. It’s in the water vapour that hangs all around us. You’ve only got to go for a walk on a windy day and you can taste the salt on your lips. The salt tends to act as a universal seaside de-icer. It means we get little or no snow – and a lot less frost.
Why is salt a de-icer? Because salty water freezes at a lower temperature than clean water. The weak salty solution of the sea freezes at about -2 degrees C. While saturated salt water needs to be a chilly -18 degrees C (or 0 degrees F) to freeze. That’s much lower than the winter temperatures which we get here in the UK.
Photos of Snow on the Beach
If you’re used to coming to the seaside on nice days to enjoy sandcastles and ice cream, you’ve probably never seen a snowy beach. Have a look at these photos, to see what the seaside looks like covered in snow! All of the sand and pebbles disappear under a white blanket – there’s no looking for seaglass today! But you’ll still enjoy the sounds of the waves – their white crests lapping against the white of the snow.
Snow at the Seaside in January 2016
The whole of the UK was covered in snow, back in January 2016.
America was in a state of National Emergency – it was so deep that everything ground to a halt. Meanwhile, the Fylde Coast looked like someone had dusted it in pretty, white icing sugar.
Snow at the Seaside in February 2010
In 2010 we had a reasonably good display of snow here on the Fylde Coast. It was the best show for several years, and is when the next few photos were taken.
At the time, the rest of the country, and particularly the south east, was suffering from ‘severe weather’. We had a light fall of snow that left a relatively thin covering on the ground on Friday 18th December 2010. That’s about as thick as it gets – but we did get to see the beach in the snow! Look at that sky – the clouds certainly look heavy with more to come.
Temperatures in the stratosphere over the arctic shot up by 50C. The effect was felt in the lower atmosphere where our weather happens, turning our winds from mild westerlies to freezing cold easterlies – and driving the cold weather. Mild air tried to barge in from the Atlantic which brought some respite from the cold – but resulted in tremendous snowfall.
Snow in Blackpool
Many thanks to Sheena Ann Brown for allowing us to share these great images of Blackpool seafront. See the promenade covered in snow, which she originally posted on our Live Blackpool Facebook page
These photos of snow in Blackpool are all with thanks to Sheena Ann Brown.
Trams in the Snow
Many thanks to Visit Fylde Coast reader Steven Hughes for these great photos of a snowy day. He moved to Fleetwood recently and loves living here. They’ve been made to feel so welcome as newcomers to the coast, by everyone they meet.
He and his mum were treated to a rare sight on Saturday 19 February 2022 when a thick covering of snow fell. Steven says “It was the first Heritage Tram event of the year. Of course, British weather being what it is, we got rain, snow and gorgeous sunshine, all in a few short hours.
“I thought you might like to see some of the photos I took and maybe share them.”
Snow at Stanley Park
Visit Fylde Coast reader John shared these amazing photos from Stanley Park in the winter of 1963. Can you remember the lake freezing over at any time?
John says “Dad took me and my big Sis to see people skating on the lake at Stanley Park in November 1963. See the little sandy coloured bridge at the right that’s the entrance to the park near the Victoria Hospital. You can see people skating on the lake, plus the boats stuck in the ice.
“The second one is also November ’63, of Stanley Park Golf Course.”
The Other Kind of Snow…
So that’s the real stuff. But don’t forget we have a liberal sprinkling of another kind of snow on the beach. Yes, the sea foam!
This phenomenon is caused by agitation of the waves frothing up decaying algae in the water. It forms balls of froth which blow all over like creamy coloured snowballs. Created most often during stormy weather, it’s a much more frequent sight than cold, icy snow! Much more about seafoam here
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