MILLIONS of Brits face a blustery New Years Day with winds reaching up to 75mph, heavy rain and floods.
The MET Office has revealed a slew of Yellow and Amber weather warnings spanning across the UK.
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As the celebrations wind down, the winds are picking up, especially in the south – with a cautions covering half of the country.
London’s New Year’s Day Parade has been delayed due to high winds forecast, a spokesman for the event said.
Members of Ocean Springs High School Marching Band were spotted huddling together before the parade in the cold.
The parade was due to begin at midday, but is set to start 30 minutes later than planned, and inflatable cartoon characters will not be inflated after advice from the Met Office, spokesman Dan Kirkby added.
All areas below Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, an Lincoln, including most of Wales have been issued a Yellow Wind Warning.
Some railway lines running between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno have been closed over the new year due to fallen trees on the line.
The Met office predicts strong southwesterly winds on Wednesday which could lead to some disruption, mainly affecting travel.
Gales reaching 65-75pmh are possible across coastal regions in the west and south, according to forecasters.
Those living inland should watch out for gusts coming in at around 45-55mph with some getting up 60mph.
Road, rail and ferry services might be affected and slight damage to buildings is possible.
Winds may also impact phone coverage and cause power cuts.
The areas between Leeds, Liverpool, and Sheffield have been marked with a Yellow Rain Warning with heavy rain likely leading to disruption.
This was set to take place in North-West England until 9am with the Met Office saying heavy rain had fallen across the region for several hours.
Cars have been seen along flooded roads with water up to the bonnet.
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service said it had been experiencing a high number of 999 calls due to flooding.
Smaller areas might be cut of by flooded roads and driving conditions will be trickier to handle.
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Within this area, around Preston, an Amber Rain Warning has been issued.
Those in the area should prepare for flooding and road closures with delays and cancellations likely.
Temperatures are expected to drop on January 1 with “widespread snow” set to fall in the East Midlands within days.
Plummeting temperatures could reach -2C around the coast with winter beach walks turning frosty within days.
The Met Office warning stretches from Settle in the Yorkshire Dales across to Preston and down to parts of the Peak District, suggesting some places could see more than 10cm of rain.
It stated: “Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions.
“If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.”
Up in Inverness further Yellow Snow and Ice Warnings cover Inverness and Aberdeen with 1-cm likely at low levels.
At high levels, above 300m, 5-10cm of snow has been warned to fall with wintry weather causing disruption.
The Met Office suggested keeping essentials in the car to prepare for delays as congestion and cancellations are expected
The website states: “If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery.
“Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”
Rain turning to snow on New Year’s Day is likely to cause travel disruption, particularly on roads and railways across Grampian, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands & Eilean Siar.
Many were left disappointed after Edinburgh‘s Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled due to safety concerns.
Fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight were also scrapped.
The London display went ahead with over 100,000 people gathering to watch the fireworks over the London Eye.
Currently the forecast suggests and general dip in temperatures from the first all round, with Brits told to prepare for chilly spells.
How to stay safe in strong wind
According to the Met Office, this is how best to prepare for oncoming winds
Protecting your property and others:
Secure loose items outside your home (e.g., bins, plant pots, garden furniture, trampolines, and sheds).
Preparation before a journey:
Plan your route, check for delays, and listen for travel updates.
Pack essentials (warm clothing, food, drink, blanket, torch).
Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged, with an in-car charger or battery pack.
Driving safely in strong wind:
Drive slowly and hold the steering wheel firmly.
Be cautious of high-sided vehicles/caravans and give extra room to cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries, and buses.
Staying safe at the coast:
Check local forecasts and tides.
Beware of large waves and take care near cliffs.
In emergencies, call 999 (UK) or 112 (Ireland) and ask for the Coastguard.
Avoiding injury when out and about:
Stay indoors as much as possible.
Avoid walking or sheltering close to buildings and trees.
Stay updated with weather warnings in your area.
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