With one week to go until Christmas, speculation is growing as to whether the county will see snowfall on the big day this year.

Odds have been slashed by betting companies after two weeks of subzero temperatures and wintry showers.

With mercury levels set to rise to double figures on Monday, it would appear a White Christmas is less likely in Norfolk - but there is a small chance.

Eastern Daily Press: File photo of snow in Norwich in March 2018. Picture: ANTONY KELLY

What are the latest odds?

Bookies have cut the odds on a white Christmas this year following the big freeze.

In Glasgow, William Hill has said there is a 60pc chance of snow, with the odds at 4/6.

Closer to home, the bookmaker is offering 6/1 odds that snow will fall in London whereas Ladbrokes puts it at 9/2. 

 

When was Norfolk's last white Christmas?

The chance of snowfall on the big day has become rarer in Britain over the last decade, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office climate scientist Professor Lizzie Kendon said: “As our climate warms, our winters in the UK are becoming warmer on average which is already leading to a reduction in the number and severity of cold extremes we experience."

The last white Christmas in Norfolk was recorded in 2010 after snow was detected at Weybourne.

However, snow was found in other parts of the country in 2020 with 6pc of weather stations reporting snow on Christmas Day, including in Suffolk, but just 4pc recorded any lying on the ground.

 

Will it snow on Christmas Day in Norfolk?

A forecaster for Norwich-based Weatherquest has said that while it is still uncertain, the snowfall predicted for parts of Scotland and northern England could reach the county if conditions are right.

Meteorologist Dan Holley said: "While next week will see milder temperatures, it will get colder again by the Christmas period.

"It will be wet and breezy in the run-up and by December 25 temperatures will drop from double figures to highs of about 5-6C.

"Scotland and northern England could see quite a lot of snowfall which may cause travel disruption.

"There is a small chance these wintry showers could also reach us if conditions change, which will most likely fall in the northeast."