The UK is set to face severe weather conditions as it approaches the New Year, with heavy rain, snow, and strong winds impacting various regions over the festive period. The Met Office has issued several weather warnings, covering December 30 through January 2, signaling all parts of the UK will be affected at some point during the week.
The turbulent weather is expected to begin its rampage from Scotland, before moving southward overnight on New Year's Eve, continuing through New Year's Day. There are yellow warnings due to anticipated heavy rain, winds, snow, and potential ice, with one amber warning particularly concerning for Tuesday due to flood risks.
According to senior Met Office forecaster Craig Snell, "Moving to New Year’s Eve, another system moves in from the Atlantic, again, Scotland bearing the brunt of this one with some heavy rain and snow and strong winds." His advisement to the public as people travel and celebrate is to keep informed and regularly check the weather updates.
Regionally, the impact of the weather will vary greatly:
North East England will face the worst of the weather on New Year’s Eve, with yellow wind warnings predicting gusts of 50 to 60mph, which could escalate to 70mph in exposed areas. The North West will see similar conditions, with strong winds moving across the region throughout the day.
The West Midlands will experience rain warnings on both New Year’s Eve and Day, especially for Stoke-on-Trent and other northern areas. On January 1, Southern Birmingham and surrounding areas will encounter yellow wind warnings, marking the transition of severe conditions from the north.
Yorkshire is braced for yellow wind warnings through the northern parts as New Year’s Eve approaches, with lighter weather anticipated for the south. Meanwhile, London can expect the harshest weather on New Year's Day, with gusts potentially hitting 52mph early on.
The South East also holds yellow warnings for wind on January 1, with gusts reaching between 40 to 50mph, alongside stronger winds likely in coastal areas. The South West echoes similar patterns, as inland gusts are expected to reach 65 to 75mph, heightening concerns over travel safety.
Moving to other regions, the East Midlands and East of England look to avoid the most severe weather conditions, and are expected to experience lighter wind and rain.
Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the disruptive weather across the New Year. Heavy snow and rain warnings will persist from Monday to Thursday, with the most significant amber warning issued for central areas on Tuesday, where flooding risks are anticipated. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will mainly experience strong winds on December 31, limiting the widespread impact across the rest of the country.
These incoming weather patterns serve as the culmination of foggy conditions experienced over the Christmas period, which were expected to be alleviated shortly. With rain potentially reaching 140mm and snow accumulation of 20cm forecasted, Craig Snell issued warnings about travel delays and possible power cuts due to anticipated gusts nearing 60mph.
"The outlook toward New Year’s Eve is unsettled, with blustery and wet conditions hitting the north of the country, and less expansive rainfall expected down south," he stated. Adjustments to travel plans could be affected as travel disruptions are already being witnessed. With Sunday, December 30, marked as expected to be Gatwick Airport’s busiest day of the holiday period, passengers faced delays due to poor visibility from fog.
Officials from Nats, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, informed travelers of temporary air restrictions remaining until alleviation. The fog has reduced visibility severely during busy travel periods, falling to as low as 100 meters in certain areas, urging passengers to stay informed about flight statuses.
Despite the grim forecasts, Craig Snell provided some hope for post-New Year's weather, as he anticipates a brighter day across the UK on January 1, attributing the improvement to the dissipated fog and cloudy conditions. "It could still be dull to start, especially across the South East, but as the day progresses, brighter weather is likely to evolve," Snell advised.
With heavy rains, snow, and alarming winds on the horizon, residents across the UK are urged to heed warnings and make necessary preparations heading toward New Year's celebrations. Whether traveling for festivities or simply preparing to ring in the new year at home, it is wise to stay tuned to the Met Office advice and updates.