Snow is commonly formed when water vapour freezes high in the atmosphere and then falls to the ground. Snow can fall when ground temperatures are above freezing - as long as atmospheric temperatures are at or below 0°C (32°F) and the air contains a minimum moisture level.

Snow can provide plants with an insulating blanket, protecting the soil beneath from the freezing temperatures of the air above. However, snow can also damage the shape of hedges, evergreen trees and shrubs if it is allowed to settle for too long. Remove snow from the branches of vulnerable plants as soon as possible, and consider wrapping conifers in hessian to hold their shape together. Shape hedges so that their base is wider than their top; a hedge with a pointed or flat-topped 'A' shape will prevent snow from collecting on top of it.