Bookies offer odds of 7/1 on white Christmas despite the mild forecast

Paddy Power is offering odds of 7/1 for a white Christmas this year but according to Met Éireann the turf accountants will be hanging onto its money. "There is absolutely no chance of snow on Christmas Day," said Mr Pat Clarke, a forecaster at Met Éireann.

"Christmas snow is a very rare occurrence in Ireland because it is too mild and we are simply too close to the sea," he said. He added that temperatures over the Christmas period will be "respectable enough" at between 8 and 12 degrees.

However, while snowmen will be thin on the ground rain will be plentiful. "At this time of year mild temperatures tend to be accompanied by cloud which brings rain. It's simply the price we have to pay," said Mr Clarke.

Conditions will also be breezy but there will be little or no frost, he said. Christmas Day looks set to be mild with some showers and even sunny spells in some places. Mr Paul Ryan, a spokesman for Paddy Power said it is offering odds of 7/1 on snow being recorded at Dublin Airport on Christmas Day."And we have a 20/1 bet on an inch of snow falling on Christmas day at the airport," he said. Paddy Power also offers bets on snow falling at different places around the country on Christmas Day. It paid out to some lucky punters last year when snowfall was recorded in many regional areas.

Localised flooding is expected in some areas this morning and rain will continue in many areas throughout the day, according to Met Éireann. However, a clearance from the west should reach all parts by this evening.

Tomorrow and Christmas Day are expected to be showery and "breezy enough", according to forecaster Mr Vincent O'Shea.

There was little sign of "serious winds", however, until after St Stephen's Day at the earliest. "The main theme will be mild, mild, mild," he said. "There is no chance of snow on Christmas Day."

Motorists were advised yesterday to drive with care over the next couple of days because of the expected heavy rain. In a warning issued to AA Roadwatch, Met Éireann said rainfall amounts of up to 25 to 30 millimetres would fall. The rain would be heavy and prolonged in many areas, accompanied by south-east winds, bringing a risk of localised flooding.