Gloucestershire is set for a quiet, damp November in 2025—not the snowy winter wonderland some might hope for, but a textbook autumn with chilly mornings, overcast skies, and frequent drizzle. According to multiple weather services, daytime highs will hover around Gloucestershire’s long-term average of 9°C (48°F), with nights dipping to 3°C (37°F). Rain is expected on 17 days, totaling 63mm (2.5 inches), while sunshine breaks through for just two hours a day. And despite the occasional fantasy of a white November, snow? Don’t count on it.
Contradictory Forecasts, Consistent Message
The confusion starts with the snow predictions. EasyWeather.com bluntly states "no snow" for November 2025 in Gloucester, even though its own historical data shows the town averages two snowy days each November. Meanwhile, Weather25.com throws a curveball: one day of snow, 0.43 inches total—but no dates, no details. It’s the kind of forecast that leaves you shrugging. Is it a light dusting? A flake or two that melts before hitting the ground? The phrase "a light touch of snow," used by EasyWeather elsewhere, feels like the most honest description.Then there’s the Met Office, the UK’s official weather authority. Its outlook for November 16–18 mentions sleet and snow showers—but "mainly focused towards north" of the country. That’s the key. Gloucestershire sits in southwest England, far from the Pennines, the Lake District, or the Scottish Highlands where winter arrives early. For this region, snow in November is a rarity, not a ritual.
What the Numbers Really Mean
Let’s put those figures into perspective. Two hours of sunshine a day? That’s less than one-quarter of daylight. The sun rises at 7:03 a.m. on November 1 and slips below the horizon by 4:40 p.m. By the 30th, it’s not even up until 7:52 a.m., and darkness falls at 4:01 p.m. The days are shortening fast, and the light—when it comes—is pale, flat, and chilly. The UV index? A harmless 1. No sunscreen needed, but a warm coat? Absolutely.Cheltenham, the county’s elegant spa town, isn’t an exception—it follows the same script. Daytime highs of 9°C, nights at 3°C, the same 17 rainy days. No town in Gloucestershire is flagged as a "snow hotspot." Not Cirencester. Not Stroud. Not Tewkesbury. That’s telling. If even the higher-elevation villages aren’t getting more than a dusting, it’s because the weather systems just don’t cooperate here in November.
Why Gloucestershire Doesn’t Get Snow Like the North
It’s geography. The county sits in the Severn Valley, sheltered by the Cotswolds to the east and the Malvern Hills to the west. Cold air from the Arctic tends to sweep down over the Midlands and Yorkshire before it even reaches here. And by the time low-pressure systems from the Atlantic roll in—bringing the rain they’re famous for—they’ve usually lost their icy edge. Snow needs a sustained freeze, and November in Gloucestershire rarely delivers that. Even when temperatures dip below freezing overnight, the ground stays too warm, the air too moist. It’s not cold enough, long enough, to stick.Compare this to places like Sheffield or Newcastle, where November snow is common enough to be part of the local lexicon. In those places, snowfall can mean school closures and bus delays. Here? A few flakes, maybe a glaze on the grass, and by lunchtime, it’s gone. No emergency planning needed. No gritting trucks on standby. No Twitter memes about "white Christmases" in November.
What This Means for Residents
For locals, this forecast isn’t a surprise—it’s routine. The real concern isn’t snow; it’s the damp. Wet pavements. Soggy gardens. Clothes that never quite dry. The 63mm of rain isn’t a deluge, but spread over 17 days, it adds up. Gardeners will be battling mildew. Commuters will be dealing with slick roads and foggy windshields. And anyone planning outdoor events—autumn fairs, farmers’ markets, Halloween bonfires—should pack a raincoat, not a woolly hat.The irony? People in southern England often romanticize snow. They post photos of the Lake District’s white peaks and wish for their own winter scene. But when it actually happens—even a light dusting—it’s usually a mess. Traffic slows. Drainages clog. School buses get delayed. In Gloucestershire, the cost of snow usually outweighs the charm.
What’s Next?
The real test comes in December. If November stays this mild, December might bring colder air—but even then, snow remains unlikely unless a rare Arctic blast sweeps in. The Met Office’s extended outlooks for late December suggest a chance of frost and occasional ice, but nothing resembling a whiteout. For now, the message is clear: prepare for wet, not white.Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some websites say there will be snow in Gloucestershire in November 2025?
Some short-term forecasting sites like Weather25.com predict one day of snow with 0.43 inches, but these are speculative models based on limited data. They often confuse historical averages with actual predictions. The Met Office and long-term climate models, which are more reliable, show no significant snowfall expected for Gloucestershire in November 2025.
How does November 2025 compare to previous years in Gloucestershire?
November 2025’s forecast aligns closely with the 30-year average: 9°C highs, 3°C lows, 17 rainy days. Snowfall is rare—only two days on average per November historically, and often less than 1 inch total. Recent years, including 2022 and 2023, saw no measurable snow in Gloucestershire at all, making this forecast typical rather than exceptional.
Could a sudden cold snap bring snow to Gloucestershire anyway?
Yes, but it’s unlikely. A sustained Arctic air mass would need to push south and linger for several days, which rarely happens this early in the season. Even if temperatures drop below freezing, the ground and air moisture levels usually prevent snow from accumulating. The last measurable November snowfall in Gloucester was in 2010.
Why does the Met Office say snow is possible in the north but not the south?
The UK’s topography plays a key role. Northern regions sit higher and are closer to cold air masses from the North Sea and Arctic. Gloucestershire, in the low-lying Severn Valley, is shielded by hills and warmed by Atlantic winds. Even when snow falls in Yorkshire or Cumbria, it often turns to rain by the time it reaches the southwest.
Is there any risk of flooding from all this rain?
Minimal. The 63mm of rain is average for November and spread over 17 days, meaning no intense downpours. The River Severn, which runs through Gloucestershire, has robust flood defenses, and local drainage systems are designed for this level of rainfall. Historical data shows no significant flooding events in November over the past two decades.
Should residents prepare for icy roads?
Only briefly. Frost is likely on clear mornings, especially in low-lying areas, but temperatures rarely stay below freezing long enough for ice to form on roads. Morning patches may appear, but they typically melt by 9 a.m. Drivers should remain cautious, but no winter tire or salt truck preparations are needed.
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