London’s annual New Year’s Eve firework display is back after a two-year hiatus
(Picture: Getty Images)New Year’s Eve partygoers in London are set for a warm but wet evening, with temperatures forecast to reach a high of 14C during the day.
Light rain showers are expected for most of December 31, with temperatures reaching 13C or 14C around lunchtime before dipping slightly to 11C when revellers will be counting down to midnight.
It doesn’t top last New Year’s Eve in the capital, which was “exceptionally mild” with a record high of 16.8C recorded in St James’s Park, the Met Office said.
Spokesperson Oli Claydon told the Standard blustery showers are forecast throughout Saturday, with weather remaining unsettled until Sunday afternoon.
Mild weather on the final night of 2022 will be welcome news for Londoners planning to watch the annual fireworks display near the London Eye, which is returning from 8pm on Saturday after a two-year hiatus.
Then as many Brits catch some rest and nurse hangovers on New Year’s Day, the rain will ease and make way for cloud and a high of 11C or 12C. Showers are expected to stop around 1pm.
Mr Claydon said drier weather is expected on New Year’s Day and again on Monday.
Anyone travelling to London on Friday December 30 ahead of celebrations can expect light rain easing to cloud at 12pm and a high of 13C.
Wind and rain is set to spread from the west across the country, with skies drying up and clearing around 3pm onwards, Mr Claydon said.
The New Year weekend will see wet and windy weather for most of the UK, the Met Office said, with the heaviest and more persistent rain expected on New Year’s Eve.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Helen Caughey said: “It’ll be an unsettled New Year weekend for much of the UK, with frequent and at times heavy rain, and a chance this could turn to snow mainly across high ground in Scotland.
“New Year’s Eve will be the wetter of the two days, with a number of fronts bringing rain to many areas, especially parts Scotland as well as south and south-west England, where there will also be some very strong winds along the English Channel.
“What that leaves behind is an unsettled New Year’s Day, with central and southern parts of the UK likely to see further showers and some longer spells of rain.”
Calmer weather is expected in the first week of January, with many Brits returning to work.
The first week of the New Year set to stay relatively warm in London, with highs of 9C, 11C and 12C throughout the working week and cloud.
