New Year's Eve weather: 5 forecasts for celebrations to ring in 2019 around the world

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

December 27, 2018, 3:00:17 PM EST

As revelers gear up for New Year's Eve, here are weather forecasts for five of the most spectacular celebrations around the world.

1. Hong Kong

Partiers gather around Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour for an impressive fireworks display each year, and the show to welcome in 2019 is anticipated to feature 10 minutes of synchronized fireworks, pyrotechnics, music and lights.

During the hour leading up to the fireworks extravaganza, rooftops around the harbour will launch 'shooting stars' to let visitors make wishes for the new year.

"Monday evening is expected to be partly to mostly cloudy for the festivities," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk. "There is a slight chance that a little rain moves in overnight, but rain will probably hold off until the daytime hours of Tuesday."

Temperatures on Monday evening can fall from 14 to 12 C (upper to middle 50s F). A stiff breeze can lower AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures to near 8 C (47 F) by midnight.

In this Jan. 1, 2018, file photo, fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor during New Year's Eve to celebrate the start of 2018 in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

2. London

After Big Ben chimes at the stroke of midnight, revelers in London will ring in 2019 by watching the famous fireworks display. The fireworks will be shot off at the giant London Eye ferris wheel along the River Thames.

Around 100,000 tickets were made available for this year's celebration but have since sold out.

Those lucky enough to obtain a ticket or anyone viewing the display from a distance will not worry about needing an umbrella or heavy jacket.

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High pressure is expected to promote calm, dry weather throughout England on Monday evening. Low-hanging clouds may blanket London, and patchy fog can form if there are any breaks in the clouds earlier in the day or early evening.

Between any fog and lack of wind to clear smoke, the fireworks display may not be as vibrant as many may hope.

Temperatures can be around 7 C (45 F) for the New Year's Eve celebrations.

3. Berlin

Berlin hosts one of Europe's biggest street parties to celebrate New Year's Eve. The festivities take place from Bradenburg Gate to Victory Column -- a span of two kilometers (1.2 miles).

Gates open to start the celebration at 2 p.m. local time with the party continuing until 3 a.m. the following morning.

Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate during New Year's celebrations shortly after midnight in Berlin, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

"There is a slight chance for a rain shower to dampen revelers," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Max Vido.

Most of Monday afternoon and night should be dry. Temperatures may hold steady around 6-7 C (44 F), but breezy conditions can drop RealFeel® Temperatures close to freezing.

Anyone heading to the street party should plan to dress for the chilly weather.

4. Rio de Janeiro

Many of the New Year's Eve celebrations around Rio de Janeiro take place on beaches -- particularly Copacabana -- where more than 2.5 million revelers gather to watch fireworks and enjoy live music.

Rio de Janeiro offers an escape for those in the Northern Hemisphere sick of the bitter cold. The city, and all of the Southern Hemisphere, is in the midst of its summer.

People watch the fireworks exploding over Copacabana beach during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

The beach setting for New Year's Eve will be perfect on Monday evening as RealFeel® Temperatures may be near 31 C (upper 80s F) with steamy air in place. Actual temperatures will be closer to 26-27 C (80 F).

A shower or thunderstorm may drift over the city late in the afternoon and early evening but should diminish before midnight.

5. Nassau, Bahamas

While all of the above New Year's Eve celebrations revolve around grand fireworks displays, the Bahamas put a spin on the traditional celebrations.

In Nassau, the city celebrates Junkanoo, where dance troupes, musicians and costumed parade walkers take to the streets. The parade lasts several hours and attracts thousands from around the world.

The parade does not start at midnight, but two hours later. The early morning hours of Tuesday are expected to be warm and humid for parade participants and onlookers. Temperatures may dip to the lower 20s C (lower 70s F).

It should be mostly dry to start 2019 with patchy clouds set to stream overhead.

Download the free AccuWeather app to find out the weather expected where you are planning to celebrate New Year's Eve.

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