London's New Year's Eve Fireworks In Jeopardy As Expert Issues Wind Warning

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Most of the UK will be covered by at least one of the multiple weather warnings issued by the Met Office this week, as the stormy year of 2024 comes to a close amid another barrage of snow, wind, rain, and freezing conditions . New Year 's celebrations have already been cancelled in Blackpool in the last few hours due to forecasted unsafe conditions, and worries are now mounting among would-be spectators that London's huge televised fireworks display could be next in line.

Former Ministry of Defence research scientist turned fireworks display firm boss, Stephen Miller, told the Sun that ⁘wind speed and direction⁘ would determine what happens on Tuesday night. Explaining how the event may still go ahead but with changes, he said: ⁘It may be the case of cutting out the biggest fireworks from the display.

⁘Because it's all controlled by a computer system they can quickly flick a few buttons to remove some of the bigger effects, but they always design displays so there are smaller effects alongside the bigger ones so the general public wouldn't notice if the bigger ones are missing.⁘ Other potential contingency plans may include changing the location of crowd barriers to avoid people being hit by pieces of downwind cardboard and small debris from the rockets.

On New Year's Eve, Met Office forecasters say delays to all types of transport are ⁘likely⁘ as strong winds persist and may reach speeds of up to 70mph in England and Northern Ireland. Winds of up to 60mph are also forecast across a larger area covering much of England and Wales all day on New Year's Day, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills, according to the Met Office. The warning for wind is in place from 7am until midnight on Wednesday.

Northern England has already started to be battered by blustery conditions, with gusts expected to ramp up to 60mph on Monday, according to the forecaster. A weather warning is in place where strong winds could impact travel plans until 6pm in areas including Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.