Snow covered many areas of the country on Monday

Despite up to 30cm of snow in parts of the UK on Monday, further falls on the big day itself are considered unlikely.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said: "A white Christmas looks remote and the odds on snow in the majority of locations are now in double figures."

BBC forecaster Rob McElwee said: "The chances are almost one million to one, unless you live on a mountain top."

Roads impassable

The forecast of mild, wet weather came after snow fell in eastern areas of the UK, from Scotland to as far south as Suffolk at the start of the week.

CHRISTMAS WEATHER Tuesday: Cloudy and misty with a rapid thaw Christmas Eve: Milder but light rain in some parts Christmas Day: Fair day and slightly milder again Gritters get hi-tech help

The Yorkshire Moors had almost a foot of snow, with some roads impassable to all but 4X4 vehicles and drivers in many areas advised to avoid unnecessary journeys.

Gritters were still out in force in the early hours of Tuesday morning, amid fears that heavy rain and melting snow could turn to ice.

At least one person died in the snowy weather when a gritter overturned in Greater Manchester on Monday, killing the driver.

'No offers'

Aberdeen is the part of the UK most likely to see a white Christmas, bookmakers believe, with Ladbrokes offering odds of 8-1.

Gritters were out in force at the start of the week

Spokesman Warren Lush said: "We are making no offers about a wet Christmas as we see it as massively odds-on and a licence to lose money."

He added: "This is the quietest year for betting on a White Christmas in a decade, but in many ways we are relieved because bookies made a six-figure payout when temperatures rocketed above 100F in the summer."

Rival chain William Hill also predicted rain on the 25th, with double figure odds of snow in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester.

It rated the chances of a white Christmas in London at 16-1.

Rob McElwee said most people can expect a mild, cloudy day, with a chance of rain for people in some parts of England and Wales.

Winter sun

The milder weather will be good news for those travelling cross-country to see family and friends over the holiday.

The AA said as many as 18 million cars would be on the roads at some point.

Some roads such as the M25 could be packed, with 25% more traffic than normal, it said.

Even more people would travel on Christmas Eve, whatever the weather, as many would have arranged to meet friends and family, the AA believed.

A record 1.8 million people are heading abroad for the Christmas.