Specials
Christmas Odds: Edinburgh likeliest to see White Christmas
Edinburgh is now the most likely city in the UK and Ireland to see a White Christmas, according to the latest odds released by William Hill, as hopes of festive snowfall elsewhere continue to fade.
With unseasonably mild weather settling in across much of the country, the Scottish capital has moved to the head of the betting at 5/1 to see snow fall on Christmas Day.
While that still represents a relatively slim chance, it is shorter than any other city currently priced by the bookmaker.
Edinburgh tops the White Christmas market
William Hill now quote Edinburgh Airport at 5/1 for snow on December 25th, making it the standout selection in the Christmas Day weather specials market.
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.
Other cities lag behind
Several major cities remain close behind in the betting, but none shorter than Edinburgh. London, Dublin, Cardiff and Belfast are all priced at 6/1, suggesting that the chances of a White Christmas across the UK and Ireland are diminishing with each passing day.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps 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
- New York JFK International Airport – 5/2
- 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
Odds accurate at time of writing.
For many, the idea of snow on Christmas morning remains a festive dream and with temperatures dipping early this year, excitement (and betting interest) is already mounting.
A true “White Christmas” – defined by the Met Office as at least one snowflake falling on December 25th – remains a rare occurrence, with Scotland historically more likely to deliver festive flakes than locations further south. Colder average temperatures and higher ground have often worked in Scotland’s favour over the years, and once again it is a Scottish city leading the betting.
However, despite Edinburgh sitting at the top of the market, the broader outlook suggests conditions may not fall kindly for snow this time around. Persistently mild temperatures across much of the UK and Ireland have re duced the likelihood of wintry showers developing at just the right time, and forecasters currently see little sign of a late-season cold snap.
While weather patterns can still shift quickly, William Hill’s latest odds indicate that Edinburgh offers the best chance available rather than a strong expectation of snowfall, with a White Christmas across the UK looking increasingly unlikely as December 25th draws closer.
