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New Year's freeze for revellers New Year's freeze for revellers
(40 minutes later)
Forecasters have warned temperatures will fall below zero in many places across the UK as revellers welcome the new year.Forecasters have warned temperatures will fall below zero in many places across the UK as revellers welcome the new year.
The 100,000 party-goers in Edinburgh will need more than good cheer to keep warm with lows of minus 2C-3C. The 100,000 party-goers in Edinburgh will need more than good cheer to keep warm with lows of minus 2C.
In London 400,000 people are expected to attend a fireworks display, while Elton John is playing at the O2 Arena.In London 400,000 people are expected to attend a fireworks display, while Elton John is playing at the O2 Arena.
A range of New Year events have been planned for Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham among others.A range of New Year events have been planned for Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham among others.
Sub-zero temperatures are also forecast for northern England and Wales, while many other areas could also see the mercury plunge.Sub-zero temperatures are also forecast for northern England and Wales, while many other areas could also see the mercury plunge.
But revellers going to fireworks displays might not get a clear view, with mist and freezing fog forecast in some areas. But revellers going to fireworks displays might not get a clear view, with mist, freezing fog and low cloud in some areas.
Flight delaysFlight delays
Claire Austin, forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, said: "It is going to be quite cold in most places but the good news is that it is staying dry and winds are going to be generally light." BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said the coldest weather would be in north-west England and England-Wales border areas, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 7C.
But there is unlikely to be any let up in the cold weather for the first day of 2009. Belfast would see temperatures on New Year's Eve of minus 2C, London around zero, and Cardiff just below zero, he added.
Ms Austin added: "There will be some mist and cloud around in the morning. And there is unlikely to be any let up in the cold weather for the first days of 2009.
EVENTS AROUND THE UK London - Fireworks at the London EyeManchester - Fireworks in Exchange SquareBirmingham - Fireworks in Centenary SquareCardiff - Ex-X Factor hopeful Andy Abraham at the Civic Centre What are your new year plans? EVENTS AROUND THE UK London - Fireworks at the London EyeEdinburgh - Hogmanay street partyManchester - Fireworks in Exchange SquareBirmingham - Fireworks in Centenary SquareCardiff - Ex-X Factor hopeful Andy Abraham at the Civic Centre What are your new year plans?
"Central and eastern areas will see lots of cloud but western regions, such as Western Scotland and Wales will see the best of the bright sunny weather. On New Year's Day cold temperatures and lots of fog are set to persist, with thickening fog over north-west England and the West Midlands.
"It will be a little bit milder in the east but still temperatures are unlikely to get above 4-5C anywhere. A little sunshine may break through in western Scotland, Wales and southern England. Spots of rain and snow may fall in north-east England and eastern Scotland, with a possibility of black ice.
"It is still looking like it is going to stay pretty cold over the next couple of days with weekend temperatures of around 2-3C and minus figures overnight." By 2 January more sunshine is expected, but the cold weather will remain for the forseeable future.
Inflatable tentInflatable tent
Meanwhile, Britons travelling to and from Geneva have suffered delays and cancellations after the airport runway was closed due to snow for several hours on Tuesday.Meanwhile, Britons travelling to and from Geneva have suffered delays and cancellations after the airport runway was closed due to snow for several hours on Tuesday.
Easyjet said four of its flights - from Geneva to Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Newcastle - had been cancelled, and a further 26 UK connections delayed.Easyjet said four of its flights - from Geneva to Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Newcastle - had been cancelled, and a further 26 UK connections delayed.
Although the runway has reopened there are knock-on delays of up to seven hours. Easyjet advised people travelling to and from Geneva to check flight details at easyjet.com or call 0871 244 2366.Although the runway has reopened there are knock-on delays of up to seven hours. Easyjet advised people travelling to and from Geneva to check flight details at easyjet.com or call 0871 244 2366.
The party in Edinburgh - the self-styled Hogmanay capital - has been under way for a number of days already to build up to the bringing in of the new year. The party in Edinburgh - the self-styled Hogmanay capital - has been under way for a number of days already, to build up to the bringing in of the new year.
Extreme lows have been forecast for the Scottish Highlands, with parts estimated to plummet to as cold as -15C.
In Cardiff revellers will be able to sleep off their partying in an inflatable tent staffed by medics at the Millennium Stadium.In Cardiff revellers will be able to sleep off their partying in an inflatable tent staffed by medics at the Millennium Stadium.
The sleepover centre has been converted from an emergency chemical decontamination tent.The sleepover centre has been converted from an emergency chemical decontamination tent.
HAVE YOUR SAYI'm going to have a bath, a glass of port and go to bed before the poor TV programmes startPhil, LiverpoolSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI'm going to have a bath, a glass of port and go to bed before the poor TV programmes startPhil, LiverpoolSend us your comments
And in London police are gearing up for one of the busiest nights of the year.And in London police are gearing up for one of the busiest nights of the year.
The Met's Supt Brian Pearce urged people to plan their night in advance and to take extra care after consuming alcohol.The Met's Supt Brian Pearce urged people to plan their night in advance and to take extra care after consuming alcohol.
He added: "Hundreds of thousands of people used to travel to central London when there was nothing for them to see or do.He added: "Hundreds of thousands of people used to travel to central London when there was nothing for them to see or do.
"Now with such a world-class fireworks display being staged the centre of town is more popular than ever before."Now with such a world-class fireworks display being staged the centre of town is more popular than ever before.
"Sadly, not everyone sets out just for a fun night out."Sadly, not everyone sets out just for a fun night out.
"There are those criminals who will use the cover of crowds to commit crime, so help yourself by keeping a close eye on all your belongings.""There are those criminals who will use the cover of crowds to commit crime, so help yourself by keeping a close eye on all your belongings."
Tube services will be running all night, but the authorities have warned people may need to queue to get into stations because the demand will be high.Tube services will be running all night, but the authorities have warned people may need to queue to get into stations because the demand will be high.
And on Thursday more than 400,000 people are expected to head into London for the New Year's Day Parade.And on Thursday more than 400,000 people are expected to head into London for the New Year's Day Parade.
Organisers said the traditional spectacle aimed to breathe fresh air into London by helping visitors beat the credit crunch and start the year healthily.Organisers said the traditional spectacle aimed to breathe fresh air into London by helping visitors beat the credit crunch and start the year healthily.