New Year’s is being celebrated across world – but events in the UK have been cancelled due to bad weather.
Rail services across the country are being hampered by heavy rain, snowstorms, 70 mph gales and even landslides ahead of New Year’s Eve.
Millions of revellers fear a New Year’s Eve washout as storms heading south look set to wreak havoc across the United Kingdom.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have already been cancelled as warnings are issued for nearly every part of the country.
Rising river levels have led to closures of the Dalguise viaduct lines as the Highland Main Line remains closed in Kingussie.
A Network Rail Scotland spokesman said they were dealing with 15 flooding incidents on the Far North Line and a landslip near Brora.
Do not travel warnings have been issued with rivers feared to burst their banks in other areas of Scotland before storms sweep southward over New Year’s Eve.
Three days of warnings are in place with heavy rain turning to blusters of snow showers on Wednesday which will continue through the night in Scotland.
London’s City Hall has said it is “closely monitoring” the weather with thousands expected to flock to Big Ben for the capital’s fireworks display despite the 41mph gusts expected.
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In pictures: Scarborough battered by waves
People watch waves crashing in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as snow, rain and wind warnings are in force and are expected to cause travel issues on New Year’s Eve.
(Danny Lawson/PA Wire)(Danny Lawson/PA Wire)(Danny Lawson/PA Wire)Barney Davis31 December 2024 16:30
Britain’s northernmost rail line closed until 2 January at the earliest
ScotRail has told travellers that the Far North route between Wick and Thurso will be “closed for at least the remainder of today” due to “multiple flooding issues along the line”.
No trains will run on 1 January, in common with other ScotRail services, which means the Wick-Thurso line will be out of action until 2 January at the earliest.
“As bus companies have stated that road conditions are too hazardous here, we’re unable to supply bus replacements along this route,” ScotRail said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this, but safety must come first.
”Tickets dated for travel today, will be valid for use on either Thursday 2 or Friday 3 January 2025.“
Simon Calder31 December 2024 16:00
In pictures: Drivers tackle horror conditions as roads flood in Inverness
(Paul Campbell/PA Wire)(Paul Campbell/PA Wire)(Paul Campbell/PA Wire)Barney Davis31 December 2024 15:45
Video shows river levels rising closing rail lines in Scotland
Network Rail have said lines along the Dalguise viaduct “have now risen past the safe limit for trains to run”.
⛔️ Our telemetry at Dalguise viaduct reports the River Tay has now risen past the safe limit for trains to run.The Highland Main Line remains closed, due to the earlier reported high water levels at Gynack and Balavil Burns in Kingussie. @ScotRail @LNER @DRSgovUK @transcotland https://t.co/QBSwYbEPFY pic.twitter.com/521kU1duLD
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) December 31, 2024 Barney Davis31 December 2024 14:30
Heavy rain and strong winds in latest Met forecast
Barney Davis31 December 2024 14:05
New Year’s Day swims being called off around Wales
The wet and windy weather has led to traditional New Year’s Day swims to be called off across Wales.
The mayor of Newport in Pembrokeshire took to social media to announce the town’s event would be cancelled, adding: “As the tide will be out we would have to swim from the beach and the wind and gusts have made it too dangerous.”
Hundreds of people took part in the annual New Year’s Day charity swim on Bray seafront in Co Wicklow (PA Wire)Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:46
Bridges and ferrys shut routes as storm gathers pace
The iconic Forth Road Bridge was open to cars only on Tuesday morning, while the snow gates are closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.
CalMac Ferries said several services on the west coast of Scotland had been cancelled with others subject to disruption.
Further south, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said all Tuesday’s sailings between Heysham and Douglas have been cancelled.
Forth Road Bridge (Robin McKelvie)Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:20
40 Sepa flood warnings and 10 flood alerts in place in Scottish Islands
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued an alert for “severe” flooding just after 6am, telling residents in the Aviemore and Dalfaber areas to “act now”, however this was downgraded by 7.45am with no “severe” flood warnings in place.
Highland Council had previously advised guests staying at Aviemore Holiday Park to seek alternative accommodation due to the “imminent” risk of flooding, while Sepa had said evacuations were expected.
Sepa said river levels began to rise on Tuesday morning, rather than overnight as expected.
It said: “Overnight, water levels on the River Spey did not rise as expected. It did begin to rise early on Tuesday morning and that will continue into the day. Less rain fell overnight than was forecast, but is continuing to affect the area.”
Barney Davis31 December 2024 13:00
Huge waves rock Blackpool after fireworks cancelled
Heavy winds are battering the coast of Blackpool proving just why a planned fireworks display was cancelled.
An update on the Visit Blackpool website said the rest of the New Year’s Eve Family Party would still go ahead in the Lancashire seaside resort, with a projection show on the tower to mark the start of the new year.
(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)Barney Davis31 December 2024 12:36
Landslide blocks Scottish A-road
The A832 Fortrose to Avoch in Black Isle is closed due to a landslide.
Police Scotland received reports of the landslide at 8.30am on Tuesday, 31 December, affecting both sides of the road.
The force said the road is likely to remain closed for some time. “Motorists should plan ahead and follow diversions.”
Barney Davis31 December 2024 12:20Newer1 / 8Older