The snow created a very Christmassy scene at Petworth House.

Reports first came in about the white stuff from a number of West Sussex locations around 10.20am on Wednesday, November 19 – including Horsham, Crawley, Chichester and Littlehampton.

An hour later, snow started to fall in East Sussex towns such as Hastings and Eastbourne.

The 17th-century Petworth House – which displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust – was the place to go for one of the most spectacular sights whilst the snow was falling – albeit briefly.

The charitable organisation posted video footage on Facebook – showing the snowy scenes at Petworth House, accompanied by an instrumental of Beegie Adair’s Winter Wonderland.

Despite the beauty that comes with snow, the freezing temperatures cause their fair share of problems – particularly for the homeless.

Due to very low temperatures, Chichester District Council activated a Severe Weather Escalation Protocol (SWEP) on Wednesday (November 19). This was was in place until Thursday morning.

The council explained: “This means that emergency night accommodation will be available for rough sleepers during this time.

The snow created a very Christmassy scene at Petworth House. (Still image from video: Petworth, National Trust)

placeholder image — The snow created a very Christmassy scene at Petworth House. (Still image from video: Petworth, National Trust)

“To access a bed, rough sleepers should contact Stonepillow in St Cyriacs, Chichester, before 4pm to be given details of where and how to get access that night. Anyone that needs to access the service outside of these hours can contact the out of hours team on 01243 785339.

“People who access this support will be provided with a hot meal, drinks, snacks and access to showers/washing facilities as well as support with seeking longer term accommodation options.

“Please pass this message on to anyone who may need it.”

If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping, report via the Streetlink app or thestreetlink.org.uk/, which will be sent directly to outreach services ‘who will try to find individuals and notify them of the SWEP provision’.

Reports first came in about the white stuff from a number of West Sussex locations around 10.20am on Wednesday, November 19 – including Petworth (pictured). Photo: Carl Woolnough

With areas across the UK experiencing snow this week, the team at OLBG have shared the latest weather predictions to reveal which locations are most likely to have a white Christmas.

The new research shows that Aberdeen is currently the most likely to see a white Christmas at 5/4 (44.4 per cent chance), with Edinburgh and Glasgow both at 7/4 (36.4 per cent).

Newcastle Airport follows with odds of 2/1, representing a 33.3 per cent chance, while Belfast Airport is slightly less likely with odds of 5/2, or 28.6 per cent.

Further down the list, Leeds Bradford Airport is priced at 4/1, translating to a 20 per cent chance of Christmas snow. Liverpool and Manchester airports are both rated 5/1, giving each a 16.7 per cent possibility.

The 17th-century Petworth House – which displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust – was the place to go for one of the most spectacular sights whilst the snow was falling – albeit briefly. Photo: Eddie Mitchell.

Dublin Airport sits at 6/1, equating to a 14.3 per cent chance, and Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff airports have odds of 7/1, suggesting a 12.5 per cent likelihood.

So what about the South East?

According to the latest market, Sussex has a low probability of having a white Christmas.

At the bottom of the betting tables are London City Airport and Gatwick Airport. Both locations stand at 8/1, meaning just an 11.1 per cent chance of seeing snow fall on December 25.