Rain, snow, and strong winds will hit the UK as 2025 gets underway, and a series of weather warnings covering all parts of the country will become effective over the coming days.
The Met Office has said there could be travel disruption on New Year’s Eve in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland before stormy conditions spread to the rest of the UK on New Year’s Day.
A rain and snow warning is already in force for much of Scotland, with conditions set to deteriorate elsewhere in the UK between Monday and Thursday.
High winds cancelled Sunday’s pre-Hogmanay Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh, and there is a chance more celebrations could be disrupted.
Following heavy rain and some hill snow in Scotland on Monday, two areas of low pressure will bring unsettled conditions more widely on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
That will eventually lead to a cold air plunge from the north, with temperatures dipping below freezing for many.
On New Year’s Eve, as much as 100-140mm (3.9-5.5 inches) of rainfall could fall in some parts of western Scotland, leading to localised flooding. There could also be some snow in northern parts of the country.
There will also be spells of rain across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The rain looks set to be particularly heavy in Wales.
While it will be windy everywhere, it could be very blustery in south England as the new year is welcomed.
The weather warnings in place across the UK include:
- In northern Scotland, a yellow warning for rain and snow is in place from 00:00 GMT on Monday until midnight on Tuesday. A separate warning for snow is in place for the Orkney Islands from 05:00 GMT until midnight on Tuesday.
- Also, on Tuesday, parts of northern England were covered by a yellow warning for wind from 07:00 GMT until 23:00 GMT. A separate wind warning covers Northern Ireland from 06:00 GMT until 19:00 GMT.
- On Wednesday, yellow warnings for snow come into force, covering Northern Ireland until midnight and parts of northern England until 03:00 GMT on Thursday.
- Also, on Wednesday, a yellow warning for wind was issued for most of England from 09:00 GMT until 06:00 GMT on Thursday. A yellow warning for rain covers part of Wales from 09:00 GMT until 21:00 GMT.
More widespread disruption is expected on New Year’s Day as another area of low pressure moves across the UK.
The strongest winds will be over England and Wales, with gusts of nearly 70mph over coasts and hills in the south and west.
About 30mm of heavy rainfall is expected across the UK. Rain is forecast to be heavier in Wales on Wednesday, which could cause flooding.
Possible snowfall may disrupt Northern Ireland, Scotland and New England.
Forecasters said 10cm of snow was expected in some areas, with heavier falls over hills, blizzards, and drifting.
The Met Office said there was “potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas”.
Disruption is expected to continue on Wednesday night. By Thursday morning, 2 January, arctic air may sweep towards the UK as the area of low pressure clears into Europe.
From Thursday into next weekend, it will be much colder everywhere, with widespread frosts. Most places will be dry and sunny during the day, but wintry showers will affect northern areas and lead to icy conditions.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has urged people in the North West and Central Highlands to “be prepared, be aware” as flooding is expected.
Those attending Scotland’s biggest Hogmanay celebration in Edinburgh are advised to dress for all weathers and check social media for updates.
Those travelling and planning over the New Year are urged to check the latest forecasts.
Network Rail said trains on some lines must be slowed down due to the difficult weather conditions.
The yellow weather warnings come after thick fog disrupted hundreds of flights at some of the UK’s major airports over the weekend.
Gatwick Airport reported continued delays on Monday, and flights at Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff were also affected on Friday and Saturday due to poor visibility.
