NEW YEAR FREEZE
Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for snow, wind AND rain across UK over New Year – check map for locations
See the Met Office maps below
BRITAIN is set to be battered by snow, wind and rain as the new year arrives.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across tomorrow, Tuesday (December 31), Wednesday (January 1) and Thursday (January 2).
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Up to 20cm of snow and gusts of 70mph are expected in the worst hit areas.
The forecaster said: "The transition period between 2024 and 2025 looks distinctly unsettled for some parts of the UK."
Meanwhile, today further disruption is expected from the thick fog that's plagued the country throughout the festive period.
The UK is expected to be "brighter" into this evening, ahead of a blast of snow and rain towards New Year's Eve, the Met Office has said.
Towards New Year's Eve, the forecast is looking "unsettled" with blustery and wet conditions hitting the north of the UK and "less expansive" rain in the south.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and rain in Scotland next week, warning that heavy downpours may bring "significant disruption" in the build-up to Hogmanay.
The alert is in place for most of Scotland, apart from Orkney and Shetland, on December 30 and 31 during which 50mm-70mm (2in-2.75in) of rain is possible, with up to 140mm (5.5in) in the west.
Snow is likely in areas north and east of Perthshire, with between 10cm (4in) and 20cm (8in) expected to accumulate on higher ground, according to the forecaster.
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A yellow weather warning for wind in northern England on Monday has also been issued - with gusts of up to 60mph possible which may cause travel delays and power cuts.
The warning, in place from 11am to 6pm, covers areas including Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
On New Year's Eve (Tuesday), a snow warning is in place from 5am until midnight in northern Scotland, while another wind warning has been issued from 7am until 11pm.
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A wind warning is also in place from 6am to 7pm on Tuesday in Northern Ireland.
On New Year's Day (Wednesday), snow warnings are in place from 7am to midnight in Northern Ireland, and from 9am on Wednesday to 3am the following day in Scotland, North East and North West England, Yorkshire and East Midlands.
Up to 20cm of snow are expected in the worst affected areas, mainly Mainland and Hoy, with 5 to 10cm predicted elsewhere.
Winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year's Eve.
The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland, including Londonderry, Tyrone, Antrim and Armagh, as well as just north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.
Delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas, the forecaster has warned.
Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.
And "very strong" winds are due across much of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.
A rain warning is also in place from 9am to 9pm on Wednesday in Wales.
Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: "From Sunday we will start to see some heavy rain affecting northwestern parts of Scotland.
"After a brief respite, further rain and strong winds will be in place on Monday and Tuesday across Scotland, as another area of low-pressure approaches.
"This may be accompanied by some heavy snowfall in the mountains and perhaps to lower elevations."
Deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson added: “Later in the week, wintry showers are likely to be a feature of the forecast as a cold northerly flow becomes established.”
FOG CHAOS
It comes after the UK was blanketed for days by thick fog leading to travel chaos across the Christmas period.
The lingering fog has sparked dozens of delays at Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports today with thousands of passengers affected.
Yesterday, 19 flights at Heathrow have been cancelled so far with another 455 delayed, while at Gatwick, 320 are delayed and 16 have been cancelled.
Patches of thick fog could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas.
Today is expected to be Gatwick's busiest day during the holiday period, with 769 flights planned.
Meanwhile, Britain's two busiest stations will shut for a total of nine days - sparking rail chaos for millions.
London's Liverpool Street station is shut for "major engineering work" until January 2.
Paddington station on the other side of central London is also closed until tomorrow.
On the West Coast main line the electricity supply has failed between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.
Nats, the UK's main air traffic control provider, said temporary air restrictions will continue on Sunday because of low visibility in airfields affected by fog.
Heathrow, Stanstead and Luton Airports said flights had not been affected by the weather as of Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, a spokesman for Gatwick said temporary air traffic restrictions remained in place because of poor visibility caused by fog and warned that some flights may be delayed throughout the day.
Some 769 flights are planned at the West Sussex airport on Sunday, making it the busiest day of the Christmas holiday period.
Passengers have been urged to contact their airlines for updated information.
A Nats spokesman said: "While the weather conditions have improved, fog continues to affect some airports in London today.
"Temporary air traffic restrictions are therefore in place at airfields with low visibility to maintain safety.
"Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption but passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline."
Patches of thick fog could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas, the Met Office said.
Among those affected by cancellations over the past few days were a couple who have been forced to prolong their Christmas visit to family on the Isle of Man by two days.
Kiera Quayle, from Colchester, Essex, was due to fly from Isle of Man Airport to Gatwick on Friday evening with her husband after visiting his family but their flight was delayed by three hours before finally being cancelled at around 10pm, with the next one not available until Sunday.
"Our five days has turned to seven, it looks like," Mrs Quayle, 30, said.
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"It's frustrating and stressful but I overheard a few families who are now missing holidays and work who have it worse at this point."
Passengers on flights delayed for more than two hours may be entitled to assistance, including food and drink or overnight accommodation if necessary.
5-day weather forecast
Today:
Wet and windy in the north, with heavy outbreaks of rain across Scotland.
More settled further south, although cloudy to start, before sunny spells develop into the afternoon.
Staying cloudy across western hills, with persistent patchy drizzle in places.
Tonight:
Widely cloudy with rain sinking slowly southwards across Scotland, falling as snow across the higher ground.
Patchy rain elsewhere, though feeling chilly beneath clearer skies in the far south.
Monday:
Remaining wet in Scotland with snow possible in places.
Plenty of cloud elsewhere with patchy light rain in the west, and becoming windier, especially across the Pennines. Mild for most.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Further unsettled weather to come, with frequent heavy showers and strong winds over New Year's Eve and into the new year.
Turning colder from Thursday, with blustery, perhaps wintry, showers.
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