Brits in southern England have been told New Years firework spectaculars have been cancelled hours before they were due to go ahead. A yellow weather warning is currently in force with 75mph winds throwing firework organisers off course.
The Met Office warning affects the southeast, including Plymouth and Devon, and south Wales – with some major fireworks displays cancelled in these areas because of the anticipation of strong gale-force winds.
Organisers of the much anticipated Winter Wonderland event in Plymouth said: “As much as we are very disappointed and frustrated, your safety comes first, as well as ours, and we can’t possibly take the risk.”
In a recent weather update, the Met Office warned: “Gales or severe gales in association with heavy showers may lead to disruption to transport and infrastructure. They added that “delays to road, rail, air, and ferry transport are likely” and that “some short-term loss of power and other services is possible”.
Temperatures are also set to plummet on New Year’s Day and later in January increasing the chance of sleet and snow on higher grounds in the north, with frosty mornings for many.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 people are likely to gather in London for the midnight fireworks and tens of thousands are flocking to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
But huge swathes of the country are under yellow weather warnings as the south of the country is expected to see strong winds and torrential downpours, with flooding expected in these areas.
Barnstable Town Centre Management has also cancelled their firework event in Devon and released a statement: “Unfortunately due to the weather conditions and the gusting winds we will be unable to do the fireworks this evening due to safety.
“We know this is disappointing, but safety is always the priority and we unfortunately can’t control the weather.”
*This list will be updated as and when more events are cancelled
Full list of UK firework displays cancelled on New Years’ Eve 2023:
- Plymouth’s Winter Wonderland
- Barnstaple, Devon
- Truro, Cornwall (7.30pm fireworks cancelled, midnight display to go ahead)
