Here it comes, first real cold plunge bringing snow showers to the Scottish mountains. Don't get out your sledge just yet, this is a brief showery spell and confined above about 300m. Perhaps just a few cm for the real tops, but it will look lovely from afar. It won't be lovely as it comes down as there will be a strong/gale NW wind to accompany the showers.
Once the first wintry bit shows its face, bookmakers tend to lower their Christmas Day odds immediately. Obviously not having an relation to the actual weather or even long range forecasts. Currently (and as most years now)
Gone are the days of starting at 10/1, and I don't think the Climate has changed that much. There is some climatic bias to these numbers, Yes Aberdeen is more likely to see snow than Bristol but otherwise these odds will just fall over the next 2 months, as more people bet and especially if the UK sees any early snow. Only in December will they begin to reflect anything of a forecast and only reach 10/1 if a very mild period is imminent. And I'm not saying it is!
Is it worth a flutter? It makes the run up to Christmas more exciting watching the charts if there is a north or easterly component. Snow, sleet and I believe Hail, all count, any frozen precipitation. Not snow already lying though. If it is looking mild and settled, like last year, you realise you've wasted your money.
