A combination of rain, strong winds, and snow is featuring in the UK forecast for the New Year transition period.
A series of Yellow NSWWS warnings are in place for these hazards in various parts of the UK from Monday, 30 December, until Thursday, 2 January 2025.
From later today [Sunday, 29 January 2024] and into Monday and Tuesday, a pulse of heavy rain and snow will affect Scotland from the Central Belt northwards. From Perthshire northwards and eastwards, this precipitation is likely to fall as snow for a time, leading to 10–20 cm accumulations over higher ground. Strong winds could create blizzard-like conditions for a time, but as milder air pushes in behind, the precipitation will readily turn to rain.
Andy Page is a Chief Forecaster with the Met Office. He said: “There is a very complicated weather forecast for the UK, with snow, strong winds, and heavy rain all featuring in parts of the UK. 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.”
On Monday and New Year’s Eve, winds will strengthen across Northern Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland. Gusts of up to 70 mph in exposed locations can be expected, and this could cause some disruption.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day will begin with snow affecting parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and northern England as an area of low pressure moves eastwards across the UK and encounters colder air. Tony Wisson is a Deputy Chief Forecaster. He said: “Locally, there could be accumulations of 10–15 cm of snowfall, with larger amounts over the higher hills, and with associated strong winds, we could see drifting snow in some parts.” Across England and Wales, strong winds will be a feature. These areas are covered by a Yellow NSWWS wind warning on both Wednesday and Thursday. This warning highlights the potential for wind gusts of up to 65–75 mph in exposed locations.
