Maybe not so unlikely after all... This post was written a few days ago and since then our opinion has changed. Go to our new White Christmas post for our most recent update.
At this point it looks unlikely for most of the country, but even now, just 6 sleeps from the big day, it's impossible to predict with any accuracy whether or not it will snow on December 25th, and even if we can get a better idea of the likelihood of snow on Christmas day, it's even harder to predict where it will snow. This is why bookmakers feel quite comfortable allowing us to bet on whether or not it will snow.
What counts as a white Christmas is not so simple either, especially in the eyes of the bookmakers. For example, you could wake up to 4ft of snow that fell the previous day and be able to see little else but white through the window, yet it still would not count as a white Christmas unless at least a single flake of snow was actually recorded falling between midnight on the 24th and midnight on the 25th.
In the last few weeks we have seen some very turbulent weather. A series of low pressure weather systems moving over the Atlantic and close to our shores has brought gale force winds, heavy rain and flooding to many parts of the UK. In some case these lows can be followed closely by wintry showers of snow or sleet, so although there is very little chance of waking up to a snow scene on Christmas day, the chance of some snow fall cannot be completely rules out.
Today, the 19th December, it is expected to snow in parts of Scotland, in fact there is a yellow severe weather warning of sleet and snow in force for today and tomorrow for Scotland. This snow is following closely behind an intense area of low pressure, so if these low pressure systems continue to affect our weather, it is possible we will see some snow fall on Christmas day, but it much more likely to be on the hills and high ground in Scotland than anywhere else.
It is more likely that on the 24th, 25th and 26th of December we will see more stormy weather. High winds and heavy rain are likely, and because the country has seen so much rain recently, local flooding will be a real possibility. So consider putting the sled away and getting out your Welly boots.
So what do the Bookies think? As I write this, William Hill are offering odds of 7/1 on it being a white Christmas in London, but just 3/1 for snow in Aberdeen or Glasgow. Paddy Power are not so confident and are offering 9/4 for London and just 2/1 for Glasgow. Ladbrokes are offering the best prices and are obviously very confident that it will not be a white Christmas in London with their 12/1 odds. They are offering 8/1 for Cardiff and Birmingham, and 3/1 for Edinburgh. It is unlikely to snow on Christmas day, but at those odds, I might just have a little punt myself.
We'll be keeping our eye closely on the weather for Christmas day, so for regular updates visit our Facebook page, click the 'Like' button and then click the 'Follow' button. Updates will then appear in your Facebook news feed.