Chances of a White Christmas not so hot Too early to be sure – but forecasters doubting it
The Courier decided to look at the chances of a White Christmas in West Lothian this year.
However, don’t get your hopes up because at the moment things aren’t looking great.
We looked at forecasts, betting odds and talked to experts but unfortunately it appears that the chances in 2020 are relatively slim.
The latest 14-day BBC weather forecasts predict that Bathgate will have a light cloud and gentle breeze on December 25, whilst at Linlithgow and Livingston, they believe that there will be sunny intervals with a light breeze.
Bookmakers are not too hopeful either, with William Hill currently offering a 4/1 price throughout Scotland.
The three sites they accept betting for a White Christmas in Scotland are the airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Edinburgh Airport is near to the West Lothian boundary so that bet is as close as punters will get to the county.
William Hill spokesperson, Rupert Adams, said: “It has been relatively quiet but we understand there is a good chance of snow in the next ten days and that should act as a catalyst for the White Christmas betting,”
The Met Office say the current weather is not conducive to snowfall but a change in the second half of the month may offer some hope for those hoping to see a White Christmas.
Madge, a Met Office spokesman, said: “It is still too early to produce an accurate forecast for the big day itself.
“Over the next week, we will see the Atlantic continue to dominate our forecast with a number of low-pressure weather systems bringing wind and rain along with milder air. However, in the second half of the month, there is potential for a more continental component to the weather, perhaps with slightly colder conditions bringing frosts and wintry showers to hills.
“But it isn’t possible to say with any certainty whether it will be a White Christmas.
“It’s possible that people may see snow but this could be on the much higher ground to the horizon rather than in their own locality.”