Snow, rain and heavy winds are set to hit the UK over the New Year as the Met Office issues countrywide weather warnings.
Yellow warnings are in place for Monday to Thursday, as severe weather is set to travel from Scotland southward overnight on New Year’s Eve. An amber warning for rain is also in place in the Scottish Highlands from midnight until 5pm on Tuesday.
The Met Office has said travel delays can be expected as a result of the bad weather, with forecasters advising travellers factor extra time into their journeys over the coming few days.
Rail and air travel may be cancelled, with delays possible on roads and a “small chance” of closures and potential flooding.
Meanwhile disruption continues at Gatwick Airport for a fourth day as thick fog causes flight cancellations and delays during the airport’s busy holiday period.
A spokesperson for the airport has confirmed that air restrictions will be kept in place because of low visibility in airfields affected by fog.
“London Gatwick apologises for any inconvenience,” they said, adding: “Passengers should contact their airline for further information.”
It follows three days of disruption at the UK’s busiest airports including Stansted, Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, and Manchester Airports.
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ICYMI: Cancellations continue at Gatwick
After three days of fog led to the cancellation of around 200 flights to and from London Gatwick, more departures and arrivals have been grounded at the Sussex airport.
Planes and pilots are out of position, with flight time limitations also coming into play.
So far 27 more flights have been grounded at Gatwick, affecting up to 5,000 passengers. The biggest airline at the Sussex airport, easyJet, has grounded 17 flights. Inbound services from Aberdeen, Inverness and Belfast City were axed.
Departures on easyJet to Nice, Venice, Murcia, Milan, Naples, Innsbruck and Rennes have also been cancelled.
Passengers were told: “We were affected by a three-day disruption caused by low-visibility weather conditions in London Gatwick.
“This has meant that air traffic control has had to limit the number of aircraft that can arrive and depart, which has sadly led to delays and cancellations today. The safety of you and our crew is our highest priority, and we thank you for your understanding.”
British Airways has grounded flights from Gatwick to Algiers, Jersey (two services), Seville and Verona.
Alex Croft30 December 2024 14:31
Weather warnings for December 30-31
(PA Wire)Alex Croft30 December 2024 14:11
‘Complicated’ in coming days forecast for the UK
Andy Page, a chief forecaster with the Met Office, says the forecast for the UK in the coming days is “very complicated”.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Alex Croft30 December 2024 13:50
Second time Blackpool fireworks cancelled in three years
The cancellation of Blackpool’s fireworks display to celebrate New Years Eve is the second time since 2021 the festivites have been called off.
Three years ago, the fireworks were cancelled due to the risks of blustery winds.
A spokesperson for VisitBlackpool told the BBC:
“Unfortunately, as the fireworks were being fired from the beach, it isn’t possible to move the time of the display to later this evening because of tidal conditions.
“We have therefore taken the decision to cancel now to give people the earliest opportunity to plan their day.”
Alex Croft30 December 2024 13:26
New Years Eve fireworks cancelled in Blackpool
Blackpool’s New Years Eve fireworks celebrations have been cancelled due to high winds.
The city lies just outside the Met Office’s yellow weather warning for wind on Tuesday evening.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Due to the forecast of high winds tomorrow evening we have had to make the tough decision to cancel the fireworks display this year.
“The rest of the New Year’s Eve Family Party will continue as planned.”
Alex Croft30 December 2024 13:23
Snow forecast in full
Snow has been forecast in areas of northern Scotland – but what exactly can residents expect?
Until 23:59 on Tuesday, a yellow rain and snow warning will cover the majority of Scotland, barring southern parts. At 5am on Tuesday morning, a yellow warning for snow will cover the Orkney islands.
The Met says heavy rain will be “persistent and widespread” with totals of 50 to 70mm possible over two days. Some areas in western Scotland may see 100 to 140mm of rain.
North and east of Perthshire will likely see snow, with 10-20cm in areas above 150 metres, according to the forecaster. The Met Office says: “As milder air pushes in, snow will turn back to rain, and any rapid snow melt will contribute to flooding in places.
“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.”
At 12am on Wednesday 1 January, it will be replaced by a yellow snow and ice warning covering the Highlands and northern areas of Scotland. “Rain turning to snow is likely to lead to some travel disruption and difficult driving conditions on New Years Day,” the Met Office says.
The snow and ice warning will remain in place until 9am on Thursday.
Alex Croft30 December 2024 13:09
How will things look at the turn of the year?
As Auld Lang Syne rings out across the UK at the turn of the year, let’s take a look at where the weather may be suitabe for some festive fireworks.
The first graph shows the type and the amount of rain and snow. The grey areas in the north are where snow is expected – the darker the grey, the more snow forecast.
The second graph shows the expected temperatures, with relatively mild predictions for much of the south and chillier temperatures up north.
The precipitation forecast for 12am on Wednesday, 1 January (Met Office)Temperatures will be relatively mild in southern parts of the UK as we move into 2025 (Met Office)Alex Croft30 December 2024 12:30
Met Office graphic shows snow movement across northern Scotland
Alex Croft30 December 2024 12:02
Amber rain warning issued in Scottish Highlands
An amber weather warning for rain has been issued in the Scottish Highlands.
Stretching from Inverness down to Fort William, the warning will be in place from 12am until 5pm on Tuesday 31 December.
The Met Office says: “After a brief lull during Monday afternoon, another period of heavy rain is expected to develop during Monday night and persist through Tuesday morning before turning to showers on Tuesday afternoon, giving another 50-70mm on top of what has already fallen.
“This is likely to lead to significant travel disruption and may result in some flooding of properties.
“Yellow rain and snow warnings will continue to be in force after the expiry of this warning.”
Fast flowing floodwater, power cuts and travel disruption are “likely” the forecaster says.
The yellow weather warning will remain after the amber warning is lifted at 5pm on Tuesday (Met Office)Alex Croft30 December 2024 11:34
Strong winds see major road closed to certain vehicles
As strong winds begin to hit Scotland and northern regions, a major road has been closed to vehicles which are likely to be affected.
National Highways said the A66 has been closed in both directions to “high-sided and vulnerable vehicles” between the M6 and A1M.
This will cause major disruption to some drivers planning to travel between Cumbria and North Yorkshire today. Drivers planning to cross the Pennines are advised to consider alternative routes such as the A69.
(National Highways)Alex Croft30 December 2024 11:10Newer1 / 5Older