Heavy rain and high winds are wreaking havoc across the UK, with blizzards predicted in Scotland and New Year’s Eve festivities cancelled nationwide. The Met Office has issued a slew of weather warnings for most parts of the UK from Monday to Wednesday, including yellow and amber alerts for rain, snow, and wind.
On New Year’s Eve, an amber rain warning is in effect in the Highlands and Moray until 5pm, while a yellow warning for snow and rain covers most of Scotland until midnight, potentially causing significant disruption ahead of the new year. Landslides and flooding have already shut down roads and railway lines in the Highlands.
Forecasters predict that all forms of transport are “likely” to face delays on New Year’s Eve due to strong winds, which could reach speeds of up to 70mph in parts of England and Northern Ireland. A yellow wind warning is in place for central and southern Scotland and northern England from 7am to 11pm, with a separate wind warning for Northern Ireland from 6am to 2pm.
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Additionally, a 24-hour yellow rain warning will be in effect across much of Wales and north-west England from 6pm on Tuesday. Outdoor Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh have been called off, as have public fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight, and Ripon, North Yorkshire.
London’s City Hall stated it is keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Met Office has issued a warning that “blizzard conditions are possible”, particularly in the far northern regions of Sutherland and Caithness. The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Scotland’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, have apologised to international tourists who travelled to the Scottish capital for the street party and midnight fireworks display.
Both events were cancelled on Monday due to the weather forecast and inability to prepare for the events because of the weather. An Indian tourist who travelled with his wife and four children to Edinburgh for the celebrations told Good Morning Britain they are “very disappointed”.
Another visitor described the decision as “heart-breaking”, while his travel companion added: “It’s super disappointing. We are trying to figure out something else to do but we are totally clueless.”
Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson defended the “undoubtedly” correct decision to cancel. He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “The organisers believe that they took the decision quite early for the reason that they wanted to be able to communicate to people who have been travelling now.”
“I would stress whilst it is hugely disappointing that the events as planned in Princes Street, in the old town, over by the castle, the concert by Texas and so on, are not going ahead, there will be lots happening in Edinburgh.”
“There will be all kinds of events, the pubs and clubs will be open.”
“I’m truly sorry for everybody who has travelled but I think given the extent of the weather forecast – it’s really, really bad in some parts of the country – it’s not the right thing to proceed.”
Elsewhere, Blackpool’s fireworks display has been axed due to expected high winds. An announcement on the Visit Blackpool site stated that the town’s New Year’s Eve family party will still be going ahead, with a projection display set to illuminate the iconic tower as it ushers in 2025.
Other affected events include the cancellation of fireworks on Newcastle’s Quayside, in Market Square, Ripon and at Sandown Carnival on the Isle of Wight, all due to the adverse weather conditions.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has eased severe flooding concerns in the Highlands, but blizzards could yet isolate some communities, as per Met Office warnings. Flooding and landslides have led to the shutdown of roads such as the A9 at Tomich and the A835 between Fortrose and Avoch, with rail services between Dingwall and Inverness severed by “heavy” flooding.
The Met Office report indicated that “North and east of (and including) Perthshire, precipitation is likely to fall as snow, especially over high ground, with 10-20cm accumulating above 150-200 metres, with several centimetres accumulating at lower elevations away from windward coasts.”
As milder air arrives, snow will turn to rain, and rapid snowmelt could cause flooding in some areas. “Strong winds may exacerbate impacts, particularly across the areas of Scotland affected by snow. Blizzard conditions are possible, especially over high ground and across much of Sutherland and Caithness.”
“Powerline icing is possible where blizzard conditions occur.”
On Tuesday morning, the Forth Road Bridge was open to cars only, while the snow gates were closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.
CalMac Ferries announced that several services on Scotland’s west coast had been cancelled, with others facing disruption. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company also cancelled all Tuesday sailings between Heysham and Douglas.
The A66 in Cumbria and North Yorkshire was closed to high-sided vehicles in both directions on Tuesday morning. According to Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell, “It will be a tricky couple of days and a wet and windy spell for many up into the new year.”
“We’re encouraging anyone who is planning to travel to keep up to date with the weather forecast and news from their local authorities.”
The new year is expected to begin turbulently, with separate weather warnings in place for wind and rain on January 1.
The Met Office forecasts winds of up to 60mph across much of England and Wales on Wednesday, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills.