^

As ever a matter of temperament (oops, meant temperature) @:-)

It can snow at temperatures up to +8 C but won't pitch obviously...so knowing where the zero degree isotherm (freezing level) is located helps greatly to know where there is snow. This chart is useful on days like this:

Freezing Level forecast (scroll down page)

The numbers represent the height in meters of where the 0 degree temperature is (and hence far more chance of snow and settling snow).

While Manchester is only 38m ASL (above sea level) and the isotherm is stating 0 is around 200m it does mean it is far more likely to happen there than down South where the freezing level is currently at 400m.

The cold tongue that extends down the centre of the UK is also where the highest geographical points are so most likelihood of snow occurring. However, the isolated pockets of convective clouds can produce strong and cold downdrafts that keep the snow frozen until it hits the ground as well even where the freezing level is higher up in the atmosphere.

The fact that Manchester is on the West coast (as the weather is coming down from the North West) and relatively close to the coast also means that the moist maritime air is forced up (even slightly) and saturates and in these cold conditions then produces the wet snow they will see on and off today.

But yes, grim in centre and Northern UK today.