Your New Year Weather Guide - Storms possible

As New Year's Eve approaches, the UK braces for another Atlantic storm following Storm Gerrit's fierce winds. Unsettled weather is expected to persist for 36 hours before a new low-pressure system, dubbed Storm Henk, threatens festivities.

Forecasters anticipate its arrival in Ireland on Saturday, potentially wreaking havoc in the UK by December 31st. The end of 2023 seems poised for typically British weather, with yellow warnings due to Storm Gerrit bringing rain and wind across large areas of the country earlier in the week.

Moving into the New Year, high pressure might bring prolonged cold spells and wintry hazards, a departure from recent January weather. Rain and snow could pose challenges, affecting northern regions briefly, with more significant impact expected north of the Central Lowlands later in the day. Weather warnings persist into Friday morning for parts of the UK like the north and west coasts of Wales, the North West, and western Scotland, with blustery, wintry weather anticipated across most regions. Additional alerts cover the Scottish mountains and Shetland Islands for snow, with gusts potentially reaching 50-60 mph, and possibly 65-70 mph in exposed areas.

The Met Office spokesperson hinted at showery weather for the first week of January, with occasional drier and brighter periods. However, the long-range forecast anticipates drier and settled conditions from mid-January onward, potentially increasing the risk of prolonged cold spells.