Edinburgh Hogmanay cancelled - as UK set to be hit by high winds, heavy rain and snow on New Year's Eve

30 December 2024, 08:44 | Updated: 31 December 2024, 06:13

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is the latest victim of bad weather set to batter the UK over the new year after being cancelled on "public safety grounds".

Outdoor events scheduled for 30 and 31 December will no longer take place due to high winds and "extreme" weather, organisers announced hours ahead of events kicking off on Monday.

Organisers apologised to tourists who travelled internationally for the Hogmanay events, which included a concert headlined by Scottish band Texas, and said it was not safe to carry out preparations outdoors in such bad weather.

However indoor events, including a sold-out concert by Idlewild, and a sold-out service at St Giles Cathedral on New Year's Eve, will still go ahead.

'Difficult decision'

A spokesperson for Edinburgh's Hogmanay said: "Due to ongoing high winds and inclement weather in Edinburgh city centre, we regret to announce that outdoor events scheduled for Monday and 31 December are unable to go ahead on the grounds of public safety.

"The cancellation includes tonight's Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens, and on 31 December, the Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and the midnight fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.

"We have been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for Edinburgh's Hogmanay outdoor events due to extreme weather and forecast conditions. Therefore, for safety reasons we, along with our event partners, have taken the difficult decision to cancel all outdoor events."

Meanwhile, Blackpool's New Year's Eve fireworks have also been cancelled due to the forecast of high winds in northwest England.

London's City Hall said it is "monitoring the weather" ahead of the capital's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Britain is set to be hit by high winds, heavy rain, and snowfall - as weather warnings cover almost every part of the UK.

Here's what forecasters are predicting across the UK over the next few days.

Scotland

Scotland is covered by four different weather warnings across the next three days - including a more severe amber warning.

The first yellow alert, for rain and snow, covers almost all of Scotland and warns the weather could bring "significant disruption in the build-up to the new year".

It was in place across Monday and will end at 11.59pm tonight. It warns that some homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be delays to travel services.

Orkney, which is not covered by this warning, is covered by another alert for snow lasting from 5am on New Year's Eve until midnight.

There is also an amber warning in place for central Scotland that came into force at midnight and ends at 5pm today.

The Met Office says the rain is "likely to cause some property flooding and travel disruption".

Southern areas of Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, are also covered by another wind alert from 7am on New Year's Eve until 11pm.

There is also a yellow alert for snow and ice in place for northern areas of Scotland from midnight on 1 January until 9am on 2 January.

England

There are four yellow weather warnings covering different parts of England over the next three days.

A yellow weather warning for wind will be in place between 7am and 11pm today. It covers the northeast of England, down towards Bridlington in East Yorkshire, and across towards Carlisle in the northwest.

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The alert warns of "strong westerly winds" that could lead to travel disruption.

It comes as a yellow warning for rain runs from 6pm on New Year's Eve until 6pm on New Year's Day.

The warning covers a large part of the northwest and covers areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, parts of Liverpool, Preston and north towards High Bentham.

It is one of two warnings that will be in place on New Year's Day - with a yellow wind alert covering southern England and parts of the West Midlands from 7am to 11.59pm.

Wales

Wales is covered by a yellow weather warning for rain on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The alert covers a central belt of Wales from the north coast, to the south, and is in place from 6pm on New Year's Eve until 6pm on New Year's Day.

Northern Ireland

A yellow weather warning is in place for much of Northern Ireland, covering Belfast, Londonderry, Coleraine and Larne, from 6am until 7pm on New Year's Eve.

The whole of Northern Ireland, from Derry to Enniskillen, and Newry to Ballycastle, was covered by a yellow weather alert for "heavy and persistent" snow from 7am until 11.59pm on New Year's Day, but that has now been withdrawn by the Met Office.

(c) Sky News 2024: Edinburgh Hogmanay cancelled - as UK set to be hit by high winds, heavy rain and snow on New Year's Eve