Amber weather warning issued as heavy rain and high winds forecast for New Year’s Eve

Snow, wind and rain warnings across the UK as some New Year celebrations cancelled

Celebrations on New Year's Eve could be dampened as yellow weather warnings predict snow, wind and rain across the country which could last into 2025

The UK is braced for an unsettled start to 2025, with heavy snow, rain and wind expected to cause travel disruption over New Year's Eve.

Several yellow weather warnings and an amber one in Scotland have been issued covering much of the week with most of the country affected by at least one alert.

The forecasted bad weather has led to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay fireworks being cancelled for this year.

New Year's Eve

An amber warning is in place from midnight until 5pm on Tuesday in Moray and the Highlands.

Forecasters predict that heavy rain will become persistent and widespread in Scotland during Monday and Tuesday with 50-70mm of rain possible over the two days in many areas while some places may see 100-140mm.

A yellow warning for snow and rain in place for Scotland from the early hours of Monday morning until the end of Tuesday.

On New Year’s Eve, delays to all types of transport are “likely” as strong winds persist and may reach speeds of up to 70mph in England and Northern Ireland, the forecaster warned.

An alert for wind is in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday and covers most of Northern Ireland, including Londonderry, Tyrone, Antrim and Armagh, as well as just north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.

The Met Office warned there will be "persistent snow" for Orkney and Shetland from 5am on Tuesday where up to 20cm of snow could blanket areas of higher grounds, mainly for Mainland and Hoy, with 5 to 10cm predicted elsewhere.

For those celebrating Hogmanay, heavy downpours and snowfall may cause “significant disruption” across northern Scotland, with up to 140mm of rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.

Strong winds also have the potential to “exacerbate impacts”, creating “blizzard conditions” which could freeze powerlines.

Strong winds are set to impact Londonderry, Tyrone, Antrim and Armagh, as well as just north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.

A warning on Monday also covered winds up to 60mph in areas including Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire which could impact travellers between 11am and 6pm.

Longer road journey times are likely as a result of difficult driving conditions.

Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts, the Met Office said.

Snow and wind in Scotland could create "blizzard conditions" over New Years Eve Credit: PA

New Years Day

Other parts of the UK could be in for similar disruptions as the New Year begins, with the Met Office predicting disruptive snow, wind and rain for the start of 2025.

Worst affected areas could be covered in up to 25cm of snow, including Central Tayside and Fife, the East Midlands, northern England and the Lothian borders.

Very strong winds of up to 60mph are forecast across the whole of England and Wales all day Wednesday and into Thursday morning, with gusts of 75mph likely to be seen around coastal areas and hills.

The alert for wind is in place from 9am on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.

In Wales, the new year will see up to 60mm of rain causing delays for road transport, potential power cuts and flooding.

The Met Office said the forecast for the upcoming week was “complicated” and urged people to check the forecast regularly in order to update their plans.

Chief forecaster Andy Page 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.”

It comes after thick fog blanketed the country for several days causing flights delays and cancellations at some of the UK's busiest airports.

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