Every year people eye the odds of a white Christmas, with bookies taking bets on whether we’ll see snow – now William Hill have given odds on how likely it is that snow will fall in 12 UK cities
The odds of a white Christmas have been revealed with the UK’s cities ranked in order of how likely they are to see a dusting of the white stuff on December 25.
Every year people eye the odds of a white Christmas, with bookmakers taking bets on whether we’ll see snow over the course of Christmas day.
The Met Office has a very specific definition of what it means for there to be a “white Christmas”. A single snowflake must be observed falling during the 24 hours of December 25, either by an official Met Office observer or by a Met Office automated weather station somewhere in the UK.
But bookmakers William Hill have given odds on how likely they think it is that snow will fall in 12 cities across the UK.
Topping the list is Edinburgh, now the most likely city in the UK and Ireland to see a White Christmas, according to the latest odds released by the bookie. The Scottish capital has moved to the head of the betting at 5/1 to see snow fall on Christmas Day, as warm temperatures push odds down for much of the UK.
“William Hill now quotes Edinburgh Airport at 5/1 for snow on December 25th, making it the standout selection in the Christmas Day weather specials market,” the company said.
The last white Christmas seen in the UK was in 2023, when 11% of weather stations reported snow falling, but not settling. In 2022, 9% of stations reported snow although it was not recorded as settling then either.
The Royal Meteorological Society reports that the UK has only seen a thick blanket of snow on Christmas day four times since 1960 – in 1981, 1995, 2009 and 2010. In 2010 there was snow on the ground at 83% of stations, the highest percentage ever recorded.
“However, the latest odds also underline how much conditions have changed in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Edinburgh was priced as short as 6/4, but milder forecasts have since forced a notable drift as Christmas approaches.”
Several major cities remain close behind in the betting, with London, Dublin, Cardiff and Belfast all priced at 6/1.
Lee Phelps, spokesman for William Hill, said: “With the unseasonably mild weather the chances of a White Christmas look to be slipping away, and Edinburgh is now the most likely UK capital to see snowfall on December 25th at 5/1.
“That’s a considerable drift from the 5/4 quoted earlier this month about a White Christmas in the Scottish capital, underlining the declining chance of snowfall on the big day this year.
“London, Cardiff, Belfast and Dublin are all close behind in the market at 6/1, but it looks as though their residents could be waiting another 12 months at least for snow to fall on Christmas Day.”
Snow On Christmas Day 2025 Odds:
Aberdeen Airport – EVS
Edinburgh Airport – 6/4
Newcastle Airport – 7/4
Leeds Airport – 2/1
Liverpool Airport – 2/1
Manchester Airport – 2/1
Belfast Airport – 3/1
Dublin Airport – 4/1
Birmingham Airport – 5/1
Bristol Airport – 5/1
Cardiff Airport – 5/1
London City Airport – 6/1
Bar – 7/1
These odds were accurate as of Monday afternoon (December 22).
