Why does high ground see more snow?

14 January 2016

Whether you see snow, sleet or rain can depend on the difference of 0.5C or less. However, it can also depend on how high up a hill you live. With several Weather Watchers' photos showing snow limited to high ground, BBC Weather's Matt Taylor explained the reasons behind this, on the Victoria Derbyshire programme (14 January).

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Why could higher ground see snow, whilst lower down it rains? BBC Weather's Matt Taylor uses Weather Watchers to explain.

Several Weather Watchers' landscapes have also shown the same contrast, with snow only covering high ground. Here's a selection!

Snow covers high ground in the distance. In the foreground are lower, green fields — Image caption,
Weather Watcher sheffdave's photo shows the division between clear lower ground and snowy high ground. Taken near Fulwood, Lancashire, on 14 January

In the distance is a very high hill, with a small amount of snow on it. In the foreground are green fields and a stone wall — Image caption,
A sprinkling of snow. Taken by Outside My Window in Brierfield, Lancashire, on 13 January

Thick snow covers high hills in the distance. The sky is clear and bright blue — Image caption,
Walking in a winter wonder-Highland. Photographed by Den's Place in Dingwall, Highland, on 13 January

Hills are covered in snow in the distance. In the foreground, lower ground is covered in brown grass — Image caption,
Duddon Spring spotted this blanket of snow in Broughton in Furness, Cumbria, on 14 January