New Year’s Eve events across the UK have been canceled as the country braces for high winds, heavy rain and snow.
Most of the UK is covered by at least one weather warning from the Met Office until Wednesday.
Transport delays are “possible” as strong winds can reach speeds of up to 70mph in parts of England and Northern Ireland, forecasters have warned.
Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh have already been canceled due to public safety concernsas are fireworks in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon in North Yorkshire.
Hogmanay organizers Distinctive Meeting have apologized to international tourists who traveled to Edinburgh for the street party and midnight fireworks show.
Scotland’s Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said canceling the pageant was “without a doubt” the right decision.
“I am very sorry to everyone who has travelled, but I think given the magnitude of the weather forecast – it is very, very bad in some parts of the country – it is not the right thing to do,” he told BBC Radio 4’s As We Speak. .
The fireworks show in Blackpool was canceled due to expected strong winds. The city’s other events will go ahead, including a projection show to mark the start of 2025.
Public address mediaA spokesman for the mayor of London said the capital’s fireworks show would go ahead at midnight despite concerns about the weather.
Darryl Fleming, who runs the company behind the exhibit, said his team was “hoping to put on a full show.”
Celebrations in Manchester will also go ahead as planned, after the fireworks display was moved to the top of the city’s central library.
Councilor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s designated New Year spokesperson, said: “Mancunians know that when it’s a bit cold and wet you need to bundle up, but we’re looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.
“All you need are your dancing shoes, party spirit, and your nearest and dearest. Grab them and we can’t wait to see you in St. Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”
Some parts of the country can ring in the new year with nature’s own fireworks display: the Northern Lights.
Its colorful auroras may be visible in Scotland, Northern Ireland and possibly northern England “depending on cloud cover,” the Met Office said.
Weather warnings in force across the UK include:
- An amber warning for rain is in effect for New Year’s Eve in the Highlands and Moray until 17:00 GMT
- Yellow warning for snow and rain covers Highlands and Moray until 04:00 hours
- Parts of central and southern Scotland and northern England are covered by a yellow wind warning from 07:00 to 23:00, with a separate wind warning covering much of Northern Ireland from 06:00. until 2:00 p.m.
- A yellow warning for rain for much of Wales and north-west England is in force until 11am on Wednesday.
- Yellow snow warning until midnight in Orkney and Shetland
In the Highlands, forecasters warned that “blizzard conditions are possible”, especially in the more northern regions of Sutherland and Caithness.
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued a flood warning for the River Rothay at Grasmere, White Bridge and Inventory Lane in the Lake District. It is the only flood warning in England.
Public address mediaPoor weather conditions were expected to cause travel disruptions in some parts of the country.
Transport for Wales and London North Japanese Railway have warned that some services could be delayed or canceled at short notice.
Northern Ireland’s Translink advised passengers to check online before travelling.
Several routes in Scotland have been affected due to speed restrictions, including services from Inverness to Perth and Kyle of Lochalsh; from Perth to Stirling; and Edinburgh to Inverness.
The EA warned those traveling or celebrating New Year’s Eve to be “particularly careful.”
Stefan Laeger, the agency’s flood director, urged people to “stay away from swollen rivers and not drive through floodwater, as only 30cm of running water is enough to move a car.”
