Well, another year has gone by without a white Christmas. For most of us here in the UK, Christmas Day 2024 was pretty mild, actually – some of us even got sun and blue skies. As we welcome in 2025, some Brits will finally be getting some snow, but it’s set to come with an heavy downpour of rain and intense winds.
A yellow rain and snow warning has been put in place for large parts of Scotland from today (Monday, December 30) to Thursday, putting Hogmanay celebrations at risk. Up to 20cm of snow could fall on higher ground and the Met Office says that torrential rain and powerful gusts could create blizzard conditions and cause ‘significant disruption’.
Organisers of Edinburgh’s huge Hogmanay street party said that despite the crappy conditions, the event is still set to go ahead as plans. A spokesperson said: ‘Ahead of the big night there are some unsettled periods of weather and we are working round the clock to ensure event preparations and contingency plans are in place.’
Blustery wind and rain is also expected all over England, Northern Ireland and Wales –be prepared for gusts of up to 60mph and 75mph around coastal areas and hills. There are further wind warnings in place this week for parts of Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
On January 1, as much as 25cm of snow is expected to fall across areas in Scotland, the East Midlands and northern England. On the same day, up to 60mm of rain is expected across most of Wales with potential to cause flooding, travel delays and power cuts.
Andy Page, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: ‘Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week. 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.’
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