Met Office warns of ‘erratic’ weather set to dampen New Year’s Eve celebrations

As Christmas comes to a close all eyes are on New Year’s Eve celebrations.

According to the Met Office, however, the evening could be much of a damper as “erratic” weather for the special night is predicted.

The Met Office’s recent forecast sees downpours accompanied by much stronger winds than anticipated.

The weather agency revealed that the build-up to the New Year’s evening could see an “erratic change” from the more mild conditions felt the past few days with unsettled weather “expected”.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast between December 31 and January 9 sees changes on its way from the mild conditions felt throughout Christmas “with colder weather and wintry showers expected to affect large parts of the UK”.

Areas across Britain are expected to bear the brunt of this unsettled weather include the north and west of the UK.

These parts are expected to experience the wettest and windiest weather.

As for the south and east of the UK, these parts are likely to “remain more settled overall,” adds the Met Office forecast.

According to WXCharts, rain is expected for northern parts of the UK including Newcastle which is seen moving southwards as New Year’s eve commences.

Downpours accompanied by stronger winds will be felt by most regions with Scotland potentially facing snowy conditions come Tuesday.

The weather is predicted to then “push southwards” by mid-next week, which will bring colder weather to other regions.

According to WXCharts, on Wednesday, January 1, rain will move towards the eastern parts of the UK affecting areas including Manchester, Wales and Birmingham.

Later in the day, large parts of the UK will experience rain including Coventry, Northampton, Oxford, London, Southampton and even as far south as Plymouth.

The Met Office urges those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve to prepare for potential travel disruptions due to the challenging weather conditions.

The change in weather follows a relatively mild Christmas Day across most of Britain.

Fortunately the less-than-favourable weather will not stick around.

“A period of more settled weather then seems probable later next week, with a gradual recovery in temperatures to nearer average for the time of year, perhaps even mild,” added the Met Office.