The Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh, Scotland, has been canceled due to forecasts of adverse winter weather, including rain, strong winds, and snow.
This decision follows warnings from the Met Office, the national weather service, indicating that the inclement weather would disrupt both festivities and travel plans.
While the outdoor celebrations in Edinburgh have been called off, organizers have stated that indoor events in the city and celebrations in other Scottish cities will continue as planned.
Hogmanay is a traditional Scottish festival that marks the end of the year and has been celebrated for centuries. The festival often includes events that extend into January 1 and 2. Although cities such as Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness host their own Hogmanay events, Edinburgh’s celebration is the largest, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually. The Edinburgh street party typically features a torchlight procession, concerts, and fireworks.
Weather-related disruptions to Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh are not unprecedented, with significant cancellations occurring in 2003 and 2006 due to heavy rain and strong winds.
According to Steve Willington, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, heavy rain is expected across Scotland on Tuesday, with a separate band of rain anticipated to reach Northern Ireland, England, and Wales by the evening.
Strong winds are also forecast for Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and northeastern England, which could lead to travel disruptions on New Year’s Eve, Mr. Willington noted.
Further rainfall and the possibility of snow are predicted for Wednesday, with heavy rain expected in parts of Wales and northwestern England into the morning. Gusty winds are also anticipated, according to the Met Office.
By Thursday, temperatures across Britain are expected to drop, with a cold snap likely to persist into the weekend. The Met Office has issued warnings for parts of northern Scotland, forecasting snow and ice that may lead to travel disruptions and difficult driving conditions on January 1 and 2.