Edinburgh’s world-famous Hogmanay celebrations have been cancelled as the UK braces for extreme weather conditions over the New Year period.
Organisers made the announcement just hours before events were set to begin on Monday, citing high winds and safety concerns. All outdoor events scheduled for December 30 and 31 have been called off.
A spokesperson for the organisers said:
“The decision was made for safety reasons due to the forecast of extreme weather. We apologise for the disappointment but prioritise the safety of all involved.”
Weather Warnings Across the UK
The Met Office has issued weather warnings across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, predicting high winds, heavy rain, and snowfall through to January 2.
Scotland
- Amber warning for rain in central Scotland from midnight tonight to 5 PM on December 31, likely causing flooding and significant travel disruption.
- Yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow cover much of the country over the next four days, including southern areas such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
England
- Yellow wind warnings are in place for parts of northern England, including the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales, today until 6 PM and again on New Year’s Eve.
- Southern England faces yellow wind warnings on New Year’s Day, with heavy rain expected across the northwest from 6 PM on December 31 to 6 PM on January 1.
Wales
- A yellow rain warning covers much of Wales from 6 PM on New Year’s Eve to 6 PM on New Year’s Day, affecting areas from the north coast to the south.
Northern Ireland
- Yellow warnings for wind are in place for much of Northern Ireland on New Year’s Eve, with the potential for travel disruption and hazardous conditions.
Other Events Impacted
Blackpool’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display has also been cancelled due to high winds predicted for northwest England tomorrow night.
Advice to the Public
The Met Office has urged the public to exercise caution, plan travel carefully, and monitor weather updates. People in affected areas should expect potential flooding, power outages, and disruptions to transport services.
A Disrupted New Year
With extreme weather disrupting plans across the UK, many will ring in the New Year indoors, prioritising safety as the stormy conditions persist. Further updates and advice are available on the Met Office website.
