With only hours remaining of 2024, people’s celebrations plans may have to be amended or cancelled as a result of the uncooperative weather, with heavy wind and rain forecast
Millions of people’s New Year’s Eve celebrations could be over before they even begin as snow and rain are set to reduce plans to rubble.
The Met Office has warned of heavy rain, winds and even snow in some places across the UK. Several places, including Edinburgh, have already cancelled their long awaited celebrations, as well as displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon, North Yorkshire.
London’s City Hall has announced it is “monitoring the weather ” closely regarding the capital’s upcoming celebrations. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Andy Page said: “Following a complex weather pattern featuring a series of low-pressure systems bringing strong winds, rain and even some snow, the forecast for the next few days has a much colder outlook.
“Heavy rain will affect parts of western and northern Scotland during Tuesday, with a separate band of rain moving south across northern England and North Wales through the afternoon. Strong winds will also be a feature across southern Scotland and northeast England, which may lead to some travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.”
There are currently weather alerts across huge swathes of the UK, including for snow in Scotland, wind and rain in Scotland and northern England and rain in England and Wales. More yellow alerts are in place tomorrow, including for wind for the entire south of England. As a result, several events have been cancelled, including many parkrun events as people’s resolutions to get fit in 2024 take an early hit. Across much of England and Wales, New Year’s Day will start wet and windy.
Northern Ireland and Scotland will experience colder conditions, with a mix of sunshine and wintry showers. Met Office deputy Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks added: “A band of persistent and at times heavy rain will linger across Wales and northwest England through Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, before clearing southeast during Wednesday afternoon. This rain will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds.”
On Monday afternoon, it was announced Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, including the street party and concert in Princes Street Gardens headlined by Texas and the midnight fireworks were cancelled. This marks the first pullback since 2006.
An update from the organisers said: “Due to ongoing high winds and inclement weather in Edinburgh city centre, we regret to announce outdoor events scheduled for Monday and December 31 are unable to go ahead on the grounds of public safety. The cancellation includes tonight’s Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens and, on December 31, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and the midnight fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.
“We have been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events due to extreme weather and forecast conditions. Therefore, for safety reasons, we, along with our event partners, have taken the difficult decision to cancel all outdoor events.”
