This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7805814.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 11 | Version 12 |
---|---|
New Year's freeze for revellers | New Year's freeze for revellers |
(10 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. | 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, freezing fog and low cloud 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 delays | Flight delays |
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. | 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. |
Belfast would see temperatures on New Year's Eve of minus 2C, London around zero, and Cardiff just below zero, he added. | Belfast would see temperatures on New Year's Eve of minus 2C, London around zero, and Cardiff just below zero, he added. |
And there is unlikely to be any let up in the cold weather for the first days of 2009. | And there is unlikely to be any let up in the cold weather for the first days of 2009. |
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. | 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. |
Daniel Corbett on the New Year's weather | |
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. | 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. |
By 2 January more sunshine is expected, but the cold weather will remain for the forseeable future. | By 2 January more sunshine is expected, but the cold weather will remain for the forseeable future. |
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. 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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5863&edition=2&ttl=20081231090743">What are your new year plans? | |
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. |
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. |
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. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI'm going to have a bath, a glass of port and go to bed before the poor TV programmes startPhil, Liverpool class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=5863&edition=1&ttl=20081231123051paginator">Send us your comments | |
"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. |