Betting on the weather is a niche form of gambling that can appeal to meteorology enthusiasts or those who follow weather forecasts frequently. That said, you don’t have to know much about the weather to bet on forecasts. It’s an approachable form of betting that you can get used to once you do a bit of research on it. This article will help with that by explaining what weather betting is and how to bet on the weather. We also offer some tips on betting on the weather. Betting on the weather is rather straightforward and can be a simple way to make some money at any time of the year. Doing some basic research on the weather as well can help equip you to partake in weather betting.
Understanding Betting on the Weather
Betting on the weather grew in popularity during the initial stages of the pandemic. There were next to no sporting events taking place due to the lockdowns. Therefore, sportsbooks decided to offer weather betting as an alternative.
So, can you gamble on the weather? Indeed, you can. There are a few different categories of betting on the weather.
You can, therefore, bet on the following.
- The maximum or minimum temperature in a specific location on a given day
- Whether there will be rain on a specific day or not
- How much rainfall will there be on a specific day or range of days in a specific location
- Whether it will snow on Christmas at a specific location—this type of bet is usually done for locations where the weather is relatively unpredictable.
- The hottest month of the year in a specific location
- The hottest day of the year
- Whether a specific river will freeze
The categories mentioned above are known as betting markets. Betting markets can vary from one betting platform to the other. You can start making your bets on weather conditions on betting websites. We have provided a few great betting websites later in this article.
Quick Weather Betting Tips
As mentioned above, weather betting is not a complex process because you don’t need to learn any specific rules of a game to place wagers. Nevertheless, a few essential tips can help you make sound decisions with your bets. These tips are mentioned below.
You Should Look at Forecasts When Betting on the Weather
As with all forms of betting, it’s a good idea to do your homework on the type of betting you’re considering. So, look up forecasts by various weatherpersons or TV channels. Get multiple forecasts and other related facts, and then decide for yourself what values you should choose for your bets. Try to look at forecasts by weather personnel who have a history of getting their forecasts correct. These professionals will be different for various locations and regions.
Try to Bet on Locations Where the Weather Is Relatively Predictable
It can be tempting to bet on the weather in your hometown. However, if you live in a place where the weather is highly unpredictable, then consider other regions. Betting on the weather for locations where the weather does not change drastically from one day to the other is a better option. This is because you have a better chance of making a winning bet when you can be reasonably sure that the weather will be the same as your prediction.
However, there is one caveat with this tip. The weather betting odds for locations with relatively predictable weather may not be great. What this means is that the sportsbook (i.e., the betting website) may not offer high returns for such locations’ weather because there is little risk involved. The sportsbook may set higher odds, i.e., better returns for betting on places where the weather is relatively unpredictable. In this case, more risk may result in greater rewards. The purpose of setting the odds this way is to encourage bettors to pick the riskier options.
Think of it this way: there’s a soccer match between two teams, A and B, where team A is a much better team. Thus, the chances of A winning are significantly higher, causing bettors to bet on that team to win. However, the sportsbook may set the odds so that betting on B winning has much higher returns than betting on A winning. This way, bettors have an incentive to bet on the riskier option. Thus, the same logic is used in betting on the weather.
That is why we recommend using this tip only when you are a beginner. It will help you learn more about weather betting through first-hand experience with minimal risk involved.
Quick Questions and Answers about Betting on the Weather
Below are some quick questions and answers about betting on the weather.
Can you bet on the weather in the UK?
You can bet on the weather in the United Kingdom if you make bets on websites that are licensed and operate legally.
Can you bet on the weather in the US?
Yes, you can bet on the weather in the United States. It comes under the form of sports betting. Therefore, you can bet on the weather in states where sports betting is legal. At the time this article was written and published, the following states permitted sports betting.
- Nevada
- Michigan
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Colorado
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- New York
- Illinois
- Connecticut
- Washington DC
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Washington
- Arizona
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Montana
- Tennessee
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Mississippi
- Virginia
As the laws change, it’s a good idea to check the local laws to ensure that you make legal bets.
Is weather betting worth it?
Yes, weather betting can be worth it. It’s a fairly straightforward form of betting and is available throughout the year. It also offers relatively low-risk betting options for beginners, as explained above.
Can you bet on the weather during a specific sporting event?
Yes, you can also bet on the weather during a specific sporting event. Some sportsbooks link sports betting and weather betting, allowing users to make unique bets. So, you can bet on what the weather will be like during the FIFA World Cup’s final match, for example.
What betting websites should I consider for weather betting?
Below are some great options. These websites offer great odds, have diverse betting markets, and excel at their customer service. You can expect a good betting experience on these sites. Ladbrokes weather betting is great for those who want a range of betting markets.
- Ladbrokes
- Betway
- William Hill’s Sportsbook
- Bovada
Final Words
Bovada weather betting can be a great option, but don’t be afraid to check the odds on different sites. Sometimes, some may offer better odds than others, meaning better returns for you.