December 30th 2024.
As the festive season approaches, many people eagerly anticipate the highlight of the celebrations - the dazzling fireworks display. Last year's display over Edinburgh Castle was a sight to behold, and it's no wonder that it's a popular event for locals and tourists alike.
However, this year's outdoor New Year's Eve celebrations in Edinburgh have unfortunately been cancelled by the organisers. The reason? Severe weather conditions sweeping across Scotland. The highly-anticipated Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, which are all part of the city's annual Hogmanay celebrations, have been called off due to strong winds and heavy rain.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind in Edinburgh from 7am on December 31 until 11pm. In other parts of Scotland, there are also warnings in place for snow, rain, and wind, with some areas even facing amber warnings.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh's Hogmanay expressed their regret, stating that the cancellation was necessary for the safety of the public. It includes the cancellation of tonight's night afore disco party in West Princes Street Gardens, as well as the Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party, concert in the gardens, and the midnight fireworks from Edinburgh Castle on December 31. The spokesperson explained that the extreme weather and forecast conditions have made it impossible to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for the outdoor events, and as a result, the difficult decision to cancel was made.
This news will no doubt be disappointing for those who were looking forward to celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh, especially since people from all around the world travel to be a part of the festivities in the home of Hogmanay. Ticketholders will be contacted directly with instructions on how to obtain a refund, and the spokesperson reassured that all indoor events will still take place as planned.
In a similar situation, Blackpool council has also decided to cancel their fireworks display due to a forecast of high winds. However, the projection show set to music will still go ahead as planned. The council explained that this was a tough decision, but necessary for the safety of everyone involved. The family party by the seaside village will also go ahead as scheduled.
The strong winds in Blackpool and surrounding areas have been causing disruptions this week, with gusts of up to 60 mph expected, according to the Met Office. And it seems that the start of 2025 will also be a windy one, as a wind alert has been issued for New Year's Eve in cities like York, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Greenock, with separate weather warnings for wind and rain on January 1.
Senior Met Office forecaster Craig Snell warned that another weather system will be moving in from the Atlantic on New Year's Eve, bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds to Scotland. Northern Ireland and Northern England will also experience strong winds and rain on the last day of the year. So it seems that the northern half of the UK can expect an unsettled end to 2024.
In Essex, the popular Southend boat trips to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks have also been cancelled due to a serious weather warning. Brownes Thames Estuary Boat and Fishing trips explained that the safety of their passengers is their top priority and that they cannot control the weather. They expressed their disappointment and apologized for letting their customers down, hoping for better weather next year.
As we approach New Year's Eve, it's important to note that travel disruptions are likely due to the weather conditions. The Met Office has issued warnings for strong winds between Monday and Thursday, with delays expected for all types of transportation. So if you're planning on traveling on December 31st, be prepared for potential delays. Safety should always come first, and it's better to be safe than sorry.
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