A series of weather warnings for snow, rain and wind have been issued covering all parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday.
Battered Brits will see a ‘multi-hazard’ freezing start to 2025 as snowstorms, gales and torrential rain hammer the UK.
New Year’s Eve revellers have been warned the triple weather threat could lead to travel disruption and cancellations.
A series of National Severe Weather warnings have been issued for the coming days as the UK faces temperatures colder than Moscow.
On New Year’s Day and Thursday the country could see temperatures of minus five and then minus six alongside 80 mph winds – making it the coldest start to a new year this century.
Blackpool Council has already made the “tough decision” to cancel their New Year’s Eve fireworks due to a forecast of high winds but said a projection show set to music would still take place.
A series of weather warnings for snow, rain and wind have been issued covering all parts of the country between Monday and Wednesday.
More than 20 flights have already been cancelled at one of Britain’s busiest airports, Gatwick, because of heavy fog.
But the coming weather front could bring more chaos to the trains and ferries as it brings 70-80 mph winds and drifting snow on New Year’s Day with 15cm in some areas.
Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England said the start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air.”
The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.
The wind looks strongest in the south, Dr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.
Chief Forecaster with the Met Office, Andy Page, said: “There is a very complicated weather forecast for the UK with snow, strong winds and heavy rain all feature for parts of the UK.
“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week.
“With such a varied and complex weather situation there is potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas.
“With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst told The Mirror snow is most likely to fall in England on the western side of the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors by Wednesday morning.
“There are warnings out for pretty much most parts of the country,” he said.
“The main message is unsettled with bands of rain, the risk of strong winds at times and the risk of some snow too. Snow is most likely the further north you are and the higher ground you are.”
He said the wind warning in England runs from 7am on Tuesday until 11pm, hitting 70 mph in “exposed spots” with the rain warnings for the north west of England and in the higher ground of Wales, running from 6pm on New Year’s Eve.
As for temperatures, he said they start to plunge to minus five on New Year’s Day and to minus six on Thursday – making it colder than Moscow which will be minus five on both nights.
“Wednesday night it will be minus three in Wales and could be minus five on Thursday night,” he confirmed.
“In England we are looking at minus five Wednesday night and minus six on Thursday night. So the coldest part of England might be (colder than Moscow).
As for a longer range forecast he said it is uncertain: “Some models keep it colder into next weekend and beyond” and added: “It’s unsettled to end the year and into the New Year with wind, rain and snow in places.
“Most likely staying on the colder side as we head into January.”
On New Year’s Eve, delays to all types of transport are “likely” as strong winds persist and may reach speeds of up to 70mph in England and Northern Ireland, the forecaster warned.
The UK is odds-on 4/7 for -4C on Wednesday, the coldest New Year’s Day this century according to William Hill.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The UK has not seen temperatures below -3C on New Year’s Day since 1996, but weather indicators dictate that we could be on track for the coldest start to a new year this century.