As the year comes to a close, parts of Britain are preparing for a tumultuous New Year’s Eve, with forecasters predicting wind gusts of up to 75mph and heavy rainfall. The Met Office has issued wind and rain warnings, sparking concerns of potential flooding, power cuts, and travel disruptions.
The wind warning covers southern England and Wales, with the alert in effect from 11 am on December 30 until 3 am on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, rain warnings have been activated for Wales, set to be in force from 10 am to 6 pm on December 30, and Northern Ireland, where the warning will be in effect from 4 am to 11 am on the same day.
Meteorologists anticipate that an active cold front moving eastward across England and Wales will result in gusts ranging from 45 to 50mph, with some areas experiencing even stronger winds, reaching up to 60mph. The most intense winds are expected along the western and southern coasts, with gusts of 65 to 75mph possible in certain locations.
As a result of the anticipated severe weather conditions, authorities are warning residents to prepare for potential flooding, road closures, and delays across transportation networks, including roads, trains, aeroplanes, and ferries. High-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges may also face disruptions.
Parts of the country may experience significant rainfall, with up to 50mm (2 inches) expected in North West Wales, 25mm (1 inch) across other regions, and up to 25mm (1 inch) in a short period in Northern Ireland. This heavy rainfall is particularly concerning as it will fall on already saturated ground.
The inclement weather follows closely on the heels of Storm Gerrit, which led to days of road and rail chaos over the Christmas period. To mitigate further disruptions, rail operators have advised revellers to travel to their New Year’s Eve parties earlier, citing concerns about staffing shortages and weather-related issues. In fact, one operator has issued a ‘do not travel’ alert for several routes on New Year’s Eve.
Several train operators, including Avanti West Coast, LNER, and CrossCountry, have reported cancellations and reduced services due to staffing shortages. Northern, the UK’s second-largest train operator, has issued a ‘do not travel’ warning for six routes on New Year’s Eve, including those connecting Morecambe, Heysham, Lancaster, Preston, Colne, Manchester Victoria, Chester, and Clitheroe.
Additionally, Chiltern Railways has warned of a ‘high risk of short-notice cancellations and disruption’ on all routes over the weekend due to a shortage of train crew, exacerbated by engineering works at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire on New Year’s Eve.
Residents across the affected regions are encouraged to stay informed about the latest developments and heed advice from local authorities. Travellers are advised to check for service updates and to exercise caution while travelling during adverse weather conditions.
As the country braces for this New Year’s Eve weather onslaught, emergency services and transportation providers remain on high alert to ensure public safety during these challenging conditions.
