UK weather forecast: Met Office predicts dry and mild night for New Year’s Eve

Strong winds forecast for Scottish Hogmanay celebrations, rounding off UK's second-sunniest year on record

Crowds gathering for new year celebrations can expect a dry and mild night, rounding off the UK’s second-sunniest year on record, according to the Met Office.

As people head to celebrations to see in 2019, such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and London‘s fireworks display, they should expect temperatures between 5C and 7C.

Meteorologists said 2018 would be either just inside or just outside the top 10 all-time hottest years on record UK, with a mean temperature of between 9.4 and 9.5C.

Becky Mitchell, a Met Office forecaster, said: “A lot of places will be dry and mild.

“Although winds will be quite strong across parts of Scotland, which may affect some Hogmanay celebrations.”

Anyone attending outdoor events for the new year should wrap up warm, but it is not expected to be especially cold.

“It’s not going to be particularly chilly in the evening for this time of year,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Most places should stay dry, but we could see some rain across parts of Scotland,” she added.

The forecast follows mild weather over Christmas Day.

However, the Met Office has issued a “yellow warning” for wind in the Shetland Islands, northern Scotland, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph expected.

Those on the islands should expect delays to road, air and ferry transport, and the possibility of some short-term loss of power.

If 2018 does make it to the list of top 10 hottest years ever, every one of those 10 will have been in this century, according the the Met Office.

Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “High pressure is going to be in charge of the UK [weather] like it has been for the last week.

“It will be a little bit windy in the far north but mostly dry.”

Although rain is not expected, he predicted the most likely places to see rain as the clock strikes midnight are Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

He told the Press Association that Edinburgh and London, two of the biggest cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations, will be cold but dry.

“London will be dry and cloudy, with temperatures expected to be as low as five or six degrees,” he said.

“Take a coat if you’re going to be watching the fireworks on the Thames.”

He added: “Edinburgh will be mainly dry, but there is a chance of rain; a slim chance, but there is that risk.”

The Scottish capital’s traditional new year event will see performances by bands Franz Ferdinand and Metronomy, alongside fireworks at Edinburgh Castle.

London’s fireworks display along the Thames will be broadcast live on BBC1 and will “celebrate our relationship with Europe”.

While 2018 was a drier than average year, it has not been exceptional, with close to 90 per cent of average annual rainfall.

Agencies contributed to this report