London's New Year's Day Parade was met with unexpected delays as the capital faced severe weather conditions consisting of high winds and heavy rain. Originally scheduled to commence at noon, the event will now kick off half an hour later at 12:30 PM, according to spokesman Dan Kirkby.
The rainfall is being predominantly felt in North-West England, where the Met Office has issued weather warnings affecting large swathes of England, Wales, and Scotland. An amber alert had been active until 9 AM on New Year's Day for this region, noting several hours of heavy rain had already impacted areas of Cheshire, Derbyshire, and South Yorkshire.
According to the Met Office, the warning stretches across locations from Settle in the Yorkshire Dales to Preston and parts of the Peak District. Heavy rainfall was predicted to lead to disruptions and potential flooding, with some regions possibly receiving over 10 cm of rain.
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service has reported a surge in emergency calls attributed to flooding, highlighting the gravity of the situation as many struggle against high waters. TransPennine Express advised travelers to refrain from using their services before noon on New Year's Day as flooding created “significant issues” around Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Train services between Manchester Piccadilly and Warrington Central have been suspended with disruptions expected to persist throughout the day. Other routes affected include those between Manchester Airport and the city’s stations, and other key connections to Liverpool, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.
The flooding has also severely compromised the motorway network, with National Highways reporting the westbound M56 between Junctions 6 and 7 closed due to water inundation affecting all three lanes. Meanwhile, the A628 Woodhead Pass has been rendered impassable in both directions, and the M6 has encountered troubles between Junctions 18 and 20.
Roadways across various regions are facing closures as well. The M48 Severn Bridge has been shut down due to high winds, and the A15 Humber Bridge has also closed to high-sided vehicles after initially reopening.
Network Rail machinery is busy attending to the fallen trees obstructing the Conwy Valley Line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction—an unanticipated hurdle for travelers on New Year's Day.
The Met Office warned winds could reach up to 60 mph across much of England and Wales, with gusts potentially hitting 75 mph, especially around coastal areas and hilly terrains.
Travelers are advised to remain cautious as rain is expected to turn to snow later on New Year's Day, which may result in significant travel disruptions across various roads and railways, particularly impacting regions such as Grampian, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands & Eilean Siar.
Previously, celebratory events around Edinburgh’s Hogmanay had already encountered cancellations due to safety concerns, leading to streets filled with revelers being largely absent. Fireworks displays planned for Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon, and the Isle of Wight were scrapped as safety concerns arose due to the weather conditions. While London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks took place without issue, the fallout from the extreme weather is being felt by many.
The high winds and rain forecast by meteorologists have also raised concerns over flooding potential, particularly for the Midlands and Pennines. The Environment Agency has responded with direct calls for the public to steer clear of swollen rivers and avoid the dangerous practice of driving through floodwaters.
Travel advisories gauging the impact of water on the A9 at Tomich have confirmed closures due to flooding, compounding on the list of challenges. The Far North Line has faced temporary stoppages as well, with railway services between Dingwall and Inverness being suspended due to the waterlogged conditions.
Heavy snowfall accumulating from 10 to 20 cm is anticipated over the Highlands, especially above elevations of 150 to 200 meters, which might induce blizzard conditions over high ground, posing even more travel hazards.
With conditions expected to remain volatile, it’s clear the arrival of 2025 has brought unpredictable weather, affecting celebrations and travels alike, leaving many to navigate the havoc it has wrought.