UK: Chilly but mostly dry night in store for New Year’s Eve revelers

By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather staff writer

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

December 31, 2018, 6:19:14 AM EST

Much of the United Kingdom will ring in 2019 with chilly but dry conditions.

Revelers in central and southern England won’t need to pack a brolly to New Year’s Eve celebrations on Dec. 31; however, showers could spoil plans farther north.

“It looks to be dry over much of southern and even central England for New Year’s Eve, but a weak front pushing into Scotland could spark a few showers, mainly north of Leeds," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Alan Reppert. 

Fireworks may face delays as a result of the rain in Glasgow and even Belfast.

Meanwhile, cloud could be a hindrance to displays farther south.

“Northern Wales into Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds will see some more in the way of clouds into New Year’s Eve night," Reppert added.

A light wind in Wales and southern England may lead to smoke from fireworks hanging near the ground, possibly limiting the view of some shows.

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Temperatures are forecast to climb a degree or two above normal during both day and night.

Those spending time outdoors at the stroke of midnight will want to bundle up; the mercury will hover around 6 C (42 F) in London, 8 C (46 F) in Manchester and Belfast and 7 C (45 F) in Edinburgh.

As the calendar flips to 2019, a partly sunny sky will grace the UK, with the exception of a few showers over the Midlands.