Bristol New Year's Eve fireworks safety fears as Met Office issues ‘yellow’ weather warning

New Year’s Eve firework displays in Bristol may be cancelled due to strong winds across the region.

People planning to mark the end of 2023 and the start of the New Year with fireworks could be lashed by strong winds according to the Met Office, which has issued a yellow weather warning for the entire day (December 31).

Winds should be less than 20mph to be safe for fireworks but with wind gusts of around 40mph forecast, some displays may be cancelled at the last minute. Transport and travel links across the South West are also expected to face disruption. 

High winds are forecast to pick up in the Bristol area by around 11am when the low pressure system sitting over much of the UK will develop into winds of 35 mph, which will only grow stronger through the afternoon. 

Gusts of 40 mph are expected to remain right through to midnight when people are celebrating the start of the new year and will stay strong until 4am on New Year’s Day.

There are also heavy showers predicted for Bristol during the morning, afternoon and early evening, although the rain will subside as midnight approached, leaving a dry but blustery night.