White Christmas dreams dashed as forecasters predict no snow for festive season

Instead, millions of Britons will wake up to a grey, mild day of rain and clouds, without even a sprinkling of frost to add some seasonal cheer.

"For most of Britain, it's going to be a cloudy day with showers," said Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett.

"The only place that might get some snow is across the Scottish mountains."

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Winter wonderland: Red deer brave the -6C temperatures

The cold snap that led to spectacular frosts across England yesterday morning is expected to be over by Sunday evening, he added.

Temperatures will average around 7C (45f) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Ladbrokes lengthened the odds of a white Christmas in London and Belfast from 4-1 to 5-1.

Spokesman Robin Hutchinson said: "Betting has all but dried up after customers saw the five-day forecast and it's not looking good for those who like a festive flutter."

Aberdeen is the city most likely to see snow with bookmakers William Hill giving odds of 3-1.

Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester are all at 6-1 with Leeds at 13-2.

Rupert Adams, from William Hill, said: "Although the forecast looks gloomy for our snow punters, we are still taking a number of small bets, although they are placed more in hope than in expectation.

"Everyone likes to see a lovely, snowy Christmas morning and forecasters have been known to get it spectacularly wrong before."

Meanwhile, drivers face Christmas carnage tomorrow with motoring organisations fearing Britain could grind to a halt as many major roads become gridlocked.

Up to 20 million motorists are expected to get behind the wheel and the RAC has predicted that the busiest point of the whole year is likely to be at 3pm.

Transport chiefs warned motorists to allow extra time for their journeys - and to be prepared for delays.

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But their advice is unlikely to deter millions of people intent on starting the great Christmas getaway early.

The RAC is predicting four million cars will be used on Christmas Day and about 16 million on December 27 and 28.

The Highways Agency said almost two-thirds of major roadworks on England's motorways and major roads would be completed before Christmas in anticipation of the Christmas crush.

Traffic chaos: Experts say 3pm tomorrow will be the busiest time of the year

Roads Minister Tom Harris said: "The roads will be busy, so we urge drivers to plan their journeys and leave extra time to travel safely at this busy time."

But despite the frenzy of Christmas travellers, many families say they are planning to stay put.

With average petrol prices now at more than £1 a litre, drivers say they are less likely to travel to reach loved ones this festive season compared with last year.

And a survey by the RAC also found that almost half of drivers are predicting they will spend less time on the road this Christmas than last.

RAC spokesman Neil Thompson said: "With motorists having to pay around 10p more per litre than last Christmas, it's unsurprising that they're seeking alternative travel arrangements - or not travelling at all."

Meanwhile, more than three million Britons will be taking advantage of the two-week holiday this Christmas and New Year by booking foreign trips, according to the Travel Trust Association.

Keith Betton, a spokesman for the association said: "Brits are fairly predictable in their choice of destination.

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Airports are expected to be rammed over the Christmas break

"The biggest number are heading to Spain - particularly the Canary Islands, where winter never seems to arrive.

"Many are also are travelling to the coast of mainland Spain where a lot of people now own second homes."

He went on: "Due to the way Christmas falls this year, next week will not exist for many businesses.

"Offices will turn the lights off at the end of Friday and nobody will return until at least January 2.

"You'd have to be very keen to open up simply for next Monday and the Monday after.

• Congestion hotspots tomorrow will be: M25; M1 from junctions 6a to 10, and junctions 20 to 30; M4 west between J1 and J11, and J19 and J21; M6 from J4 to J10 in both directions; M60; M62 in both directions between J23 and J30; M8