LONDON (AP) — Partygoers in the United Kingdom are bracing themselves for a soggy start to the New Year as a powerful storm system threatens to dampen celebrations. The inclement weather, which includes high winds, heavy rain, the potential for snow, and the risk of flooding, has prompted the cancellation of several planned fireworks displays across the country well in advance of the stroke of midnight.
In Edinburgh, the renowned Hogmanay street party and accompanying pyrotechnics show at the city’s iconic castle were called off before the festivities even began on Monday. Similarly, events in other locations such as Blackpool, Newcastle’s Quayside, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Sandown Carnival on the Isle of Wight have either been postponed or canceled due to the adverse weather conditions.
The Met Office has issued forecasts predicting gusts of up to 60 mph in England and Wales on New Year’s Day, with even stronger winds of up to 75 mph expected in hilly and coastal areas. Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell warned of a challenging period ahead, characterizing it as a wet and blustery start to the new year.
Inclement weather has already wreaked havoc in parts of Scotland and northern England, disrupting transportation by rail and road and putting a damper on public festivities. Authorities in Scarborough, northeast England, have cautioned against visiting the coast as a combination of strong winds and high tides poses a risk of large waves battering the shoreline.
Despite the adverse conditions, preparations are underway in London for the much-anticipated New Year’s celebrations. Organizers are closely monitoring the wind conditions as they gear up for a spectacular display of fireworks along the River Thames. The event is set to feature a grand parade through the heart of the city, showcasing 75 acts and involving over 10,000 performers. The fireworks are scheduled to illuminate the London skyline against the backdrop of iconic landmarks such as the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
Darryl Fleming, the fireworks display director for London, expressed confidence that the planned festivities would proceed smoothly, unaffected by the predicted wind direction. However, other traditional events across the country have not been as fortunate, with cancellations including the annual bathtub boat race in Poole, Dorset, and a seaside dip in Lyme Regis, southwest England.
As revelers across the UK prepare to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, it seems that nature has other plans, challenging party planners and attendees alike to adapt to the unpredictable forces of the weather. Despite the setbacks caused by the stormy conditions, the spirit of celebration endures, underscoring the resilience and determination of communities to unite in the face of adversity.
