BRITAIN is set to be battered by snow, wind and rain as the new year arrives.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across tomorrow, Tuesday (December 31), Wednesday (January 1) and Thursday (January 2).
The forecaster said: “The transition period between 2024 and 2025 looks distinctly unsettled for some parts of the UK.”
Meanwhile, today further disruption is expected from the thick fog that’s plagued the country throughout the festive period.
Rain and snow will blast most of Scotland for 12 hours from midnight tomorrow, with fast flowing or deep floodwater possible “causing a danger to life”.
Another warning for wind is in place from 11am to 6pm on Monday covering the Pennines.
Then on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday), a snow warning is in place from 5am until midnight in northern Scotland, while another wind warning has been issued from 7am until 11pm.
A wind warning is also in place from 6am to 7pm on Tuesday in Northern Ireland.
On New Year’s Day (Wednesday), snow warnings are in place from 7am to midnight in Northern Ireland, and from 9am on Wednesday to 3am the following day in Scotland, North East and North West England, Yorkshire and East Midlands.
And “very strong” winds are due across much of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.
A rain warning is also in place from 9am to 9pm on Wednesday in Wales.
Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “From Sunday we will start to see some heavy rain affecting northwestern parts of Scotland.
“After a brief respite, further rain and strong winds will be in place on Monday and Tuesday across Scotland, as another area of low-pressure approaches.
“This may be accompanied by some heavy snowfall in the mountains and perhaps to lower elevations.”
Deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson added: “Later in the week, wintry showers are likely to be a feature of the forecast as a cold northerly flow becomes established.”
It comes after the UK was blanketed for days by thick fog leading to travel chaos across the Christmas period.
The lingering fog has sparked dozens of delays at Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports today with thousands of passengers affected.
Yesterday, 19 flights at Heathrow have been cancelled so far with another 455 delayed, while at Gatwick, 320 are delayed and 16 have been cancelled.
Patches of thick fog could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas.
Today is expected to be Gatwick’s busiest day during the holiday period, with 769 flights planned.
Meanwhile, Britain’s two busiest stations will shut for a total of nine days – sparking rail chaos for millions.
London’s Liverpool Street station is shut for “major engineering work” until January 2.
Paddington station on the other side of central London is also closed until tomorrow.
On the West Coast main line the electricity supply has failed between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.
Today:
Wet and windy in the north, with heavy outbreaks of rain across Scotland.
More settled further south, although cloudy to start, before sunny spells develop into the afternoon.
Staying cloudy across western hills, with persistent patchy drizzle in places.
Tonight:
Widely cloudy with rain sinking slowly southwards across Scotland, falling as snow across the higher ground.
Patchy rain elsewhere, though feeling chilly beneath clearer skies in the far south.
Monday:
Remaining wet in Scotland with snow possible in places.
Plenty of cloud elsewhere with patchy light rain in the west, and becoming windier, especially across the Pennines. Mild for most.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Further unsettled weather to come, with frequent heavy showers and strong winds over New Year’s Eve and into the new year.
Turning colder from Thursday, with blustery, perhaps wintry, showers.
