White Christmas 08

[Coast]

Bookies William Hill have taken a record number of white Christmas bets for this time of year, officially making it the busiest white Christmas betting year since records began over twenty five years ago. William Hill currently offer odds of 2/1 for snow in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow plus 4/1 for the majority of English cities.

"This is a right Royal gamble and should a flake fall on Buckingham Palace this Christmas, we are in for a titanic payout." said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

www.casinobeacon.co.uk

A single snowflake landing in Lincoln on Christmas Day could help festive gamblers hit the jackpot. Ladbrokes has promised to pay out at 3/1 odds should a snowflake fall on the ground.

It is the first time the company has given odds on anywhere having snow outside London and the big metropolitan cities.

And every postcode has been allocated odds. Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchinson said: "A white Christmas is the oldest novelty market in British bookmaking and always produces a huge number of bets. But for so many customers in this country the wager isn't overly relevant as they have to have a bet on somewhere they neither live nor work.

"The postcode lottery gives them the chance to keep an eye on their own backyard when they are unwrapping their presents or carving the turkey."

www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk

Is that Hemlock I see running off to Ladbrokes?

[Coast]

I see the Met O Christmas E-Card has a snowy look this year, what are they not telling us???!!! :lol:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ecard2008/

[JRMcLeod]

Snow still possible

Forecast headline

Our sixteenth forecast update suggests an increased chance of a White Christmas across the country.However, it's worth remembering that in weather forecasting terms it is still a very long time until Xmas. Things should begin to look a little clearer by mid-December and we'll be hoping for some consistency from that point inward.

At the moment our view at the moment is there is a higher chance of the UK being covered by a cold airflow bringing the possibility of sleet or snow to many areas.

Probabilities

Northern areas of the are considered to have a 50% chance of a white Christmas.

Southern areas of the are considered to have a 45% chance of a white Christmas

http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforeca...20forecast.aspx

Ooooooh, hope so!!!!

[Stuart]

Down hill we go but it will change

Snow Forecast Issued: 2008-12-08 17:50:00

Next update: 2008-12-11 19:00:00

Regions Affected

The UK

Synopsis

The Christmas period is expected to be mild and fairly settled. HIGH pressure close to the UK is expected to bring westerly winds. Therefore, most places are expected to be dry, especially in southern and central areas, with the greatest risk of a few showers in the north. Snow is possible from wintry showers over the Scottish mountains, but unlikely elsewhere at this current stage. Temperatures are forecast to range from 5-9C in the North, and 8-11C in the South. In general, a mild and fairly settled Christmas is expected, with snow limited to the Scottish mountains.

http://ukasf.weather2day.com/index.php?nam...st-wc&id=29

Edited December 8, 2008 by Stuart

[Nick L]

Lol, I like the way that they say it is "expected", makes it seem like they are 100% sure of it!

[clark3r]

Lol, I like the way that they say it is "expected", makes it seem like they are 100% sure of it!

lol i am not going to take any notice of the xmas forecast until 18 -19th dec when there maybe more of an idea but tonights charts are not looking good!

[maidstone weather]

Certainly interesting with all these upgrades and downgrades!

To get everyone in the mood: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4g0gmQSLk&...feature=related

[Kentish Man]

With Christmas Day now at t + 384 on this mornings GFS 00z operational run we have our first hint as to what the day itself might bring It shows high pressure centered over Ireland with mildish temperatures. The good news is that the GFS will probably show a dozen other scenarios between now and the day itself.

[Potent Gust]

Does anybody know what the highest temp ever recorded on Christmas day is?

[Nick L]

Does anybody know what the highest temp ever recorded on Christmas day is?

According to TORRO it's 15.6c. In 1896 in Edinburgh and 1920 in Devon. Global warming eh?....

[qseghj6]

With Christmas Day now at t + 384 on this mornings GFS 00z operational run we have our first hint as to what the day itself might bring :lol: It shows high pressure centered over Ireland with mildish temperatures. The good news is that the GFS will probably show a dozen other scenarios between now and the day itself.

Like this one ?

[dinger]

Quick question and forgive me if it's already been asked.

I believe that it is officially a white xmas if a flake of snow falls on the roof of the met office.

My question is - Who looks for it? I mean is there 2 people doing a 24 hr shift watching for a single flake and do they have to corroborate each other.

"LOOK there's a snow flake!"

" Where?"

"THERE! look to you're right, damn it's just went past the guttering"

"Sorry mate missed that one"

" It's OK, it doesn't count anyway it never hit the roof"

It also opens up all sorts of other questions like

What happens when one of them needs the toilet?

What if they've got a big bet on it being a white xmas?

What if they're looking one way and the snow falls behind them?

What if they are too busy texting each other?

and so on..........

I know it's a sort of 'how does the man who drives the snowplough get to his work in the morning' sort of question but it's really bugging me.

A definitive answer would be appreciated thanks :lol:

[tinybill]

well looking into f1 land it might happen if that cold air comes down quicker give it a week of model watching will have more i idea

[Nick L]

Quick question and forgive me if it's already been asked.

I believe that it is officially a white xmas if a flake of snow falls on the roof of the met office.

My question is - Who looks for it? I mean is there 2 people doing a 24 hr shift watching for a single flake and do they have to corroborate each other.

"LOOK there's a snow flake!"

" Where?"

"THERE! look to you're right, damn it's just went past the guttering"

"Sorry mate missed that one"

" It's OK, it doesn't count anyway it never hit the roof"

It also opens up all sorts of other questions like

What happens when one of them needs the toilet?

What if they've got a big bet on it being a white xmas?

What if they're looking one way and the snow falls behind them?

What if they are too busy texting each other?

and so on..........

I know it's a sort of 'how does the man who drives the snowplough get to his work in the morning' sort of question but it's really bugging me.

A definitive answer would be appreciated thanks :lol:

I think it is as simple as somebody just looks out of the window all day! I see what you mean though. But I think they would be more vigilant if it was weather like this than 12c and pouring with rain.

[Paul]

The Christmas forecast has been updated:

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=...type=xmas;sess=

Updates will become much more regular now, with daily updates starting later next week.

[Nick L]

The Christmas forecast has been updated:

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=...type=xmas;sess=

Updates will become much more regular now, with daily updates starting later next week.

Thanks Paul, bit of a lottery at this stage though really!

[Don]

The Christmas forecast has been updated:

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=...type=xmas;sess=

Updates will become much more regular now, with daily updates starting later next week.

Thanks for that, Paul :lol: No shortage of interest there, that's for sure. My feeling is that we 'could' get more of a snowy spell between Christmas and New Year, before a milder regime takes place in early January.

[Stuart]

Snow increasingly possible

Forecast headline

Our seventeenth forecast update suggests a further increased chance of a White Christmas across the country. However, it's worth remembering that in weather forecasting terms it is still a very long time until Xmas. Things should become increasingly clear during the next week, and from that point on we'll be hoping for some consistency from that point inward.

The key thing at the moment is the UK has been covered by colder than average conditions for a significant length of time. A lot of the medium range forecasts models are hinting that colder conditions are likely to continue at least for a while, and we think there is an increasing chance of cold weather returning (or possibly persisting) during the Christmas period with the chance of some snowfall. At this stage we wouldn't rule out a classic White Xmas like 1970, or the snow covered landscape (but not snowfall) that Xmas day 1981 brought to many parts of the country

Probabilities

Northern areas of the are considered to have a 50% chance of a white Christmas.

Southern areas of the are considered to have a 50% chance of a white Christmas

http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforeca...20forecast.aspx

[clark3r]

Snow increasingly possible

Forecast headline

Our seventeenth forecast update suggests a further increased chance of a White Christmas across the country. However, it's worth remembering that in weather forecasting terms it is still a very long time until Xmas. Things should become increasingly clear during the next week, and from that point on we'll be hoping for some consistency from that point inward.

The key thing at the moment is the UK has been covered by colder than average conditions for a significant length of time. A lot of the medium range forecasts models are hinting that colder conditions are likely to continue at least for a while, and we think there is an increasing chance of cold weather returning (or possibly persisting) during the Christmas period with the chance of some snowfall. At this stage we wouldn't rule out a classic White Xmas like 1970, or the snow covered landscape (but not snowfall) that Xmas day 1981 brought to many parts of the country

Probabilities

Northern areas of the are considered to have a 50% chance of a white Christmas.

Southern areas of the are considered to have a 50% chance of a white Christmas

http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforeca...20forecast.aspx

still 14 days away very long way ahead in weather forecasting/model watching and alot can change like we have already seen so i wont be getting excited at a cold xmas unless they still forecast it at around 20 Dec fingers crossed!

[Coast]

The bookies are still worried anyway!

Bookies Praying There Will Be No White Christmas 2008

White Christmas odds have been more popular than ever this winter and with just two weeks until the big day the bookies are bracing themselves for a massive payout.

The British favourite to receive snow is Belfast which is a 2/1 shot with Paddy Power whilst Glasgow is 3/1 with both Paddy Power and Coral to have a White Christmas. The bookies can’t decide if snow is more likely in London or Manchester, Paddy Power offer 4/1 about both cities receiving snowfall in two weeks time. Stan James go 5/1 that there is a White Christmas in Birmingham.

Other cities of note are Cardiff, which is 5/1 with Coral and Dublin which is also 5/1 with Coral. Ladbrokes are betting on a White Christmas by post code, for a full list of UK postcodes and the odds on them receiving a White Christmas visit the Ladbrokes website.

Bookies make Stockholm and Helsinki the favourites to have a White Christmas, they are both 1/3 with Ladbrokes. St Petersburg , Moscow and Montreal are all 4/7 with Ladbrokes whilst Boston and Berlin are both 10/11 with Paddy Power.

www.online-betting-guide.co.uk

[Stuart]

Snow Forecast Issued: 2008-12-11 19:24:00

Next update: 2008-12-13 12:00:00

Regions Affected

The UK

Synopsis

Once again, the charts still cannot decide on a trend to what will happen on Christmas day. But the latest charts are showing LOW Pressure being never too far away from the UK. This is likely to drag in a Westerly or North Westerly airflow. It only seems the very North of Scotland and mainly over the Hills and Mountains has a slight chance of some wintry precipitation. Elsewhere may actually stay dry during the day with perhaps some rain encroaching from the West in the far South West and Wales towards the end of the day. It could be quite cool on Christmas Day though milder arond the coasts. It is likely to be a cool day for many with 3-6c in the North and 5-8c in the South. Overall, a possibly Dry day for many with the greatest chance of precipitation and Snow over the Mountains of Scotland.

http://ukasf.weather2day.com/index.php?nam...st-wc&id=30

Edited December 11, 2008 by Stuart

[rodthrutheblock]

Snow at Christmas depends on my old Range Rover. Every year in the last 20 that it has been working it has not snowed. Every year is has NOT been working (ie when I need it most) it has snowed. It goes for its MOT tomorrow............

(It is a bit like seaweed. Green and smelly. Perhaps I should hang it up somewhere. )

[Stuart]

Snow chance recedes

Forecast headline

Our eighteenth forecast update suggests a reduced chance of a White Christmas across the country. However, it's worth remembering that in weather forecasting terms it is still a very long time until Xmas. Things should become increasingly clear during the next week, and from that point on we'll be hoping for some consistency from that point inward.

The key thing at the moment is the UK has been covered by colder than average conditions for a significant length of time. The latest medium range forecasts are now backing away from the colder theme and suggesting the possibility of a change to milder conditions during the next 10 days, but it is too early to be confident of this. At this stage we wouldn't rule out a classic White Xmas like 1970, or the snow covered landscape (but not snowfall) that Xmas day 1981 brought to many parts of the country.

Probabilities

Northern areas of the are considered to have a 45% chance of a white Christmas.

Southern areas of the are considered to have a 35% chance of a white Christmas.

http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforeca...20forecast.aspx

[damianslaw]

I generally wait until about the 19th/20th before I give my first thoughts on what christmas day is likely to bring. One thing I note generally about christmas period i.e. 24th - new years day is how quickly the weather tends to turn and twist at a short notice, it is not often a period characterised by a sustained spell of similiar weather, for example the long dry high pressure dominated spells of mid-late dec 06 and 07 broke down just after and before christmas. It is notoriously a time of year when a quick shift from mild to cold can occur and I feel that even if the day itself is mild a quick shift to cold thereafter is a high odd particularly given the prevailing background trends of recent weeks and months.

[Stuart]

i just want add charts here for xmas day