The UK experienced severe weather conditions on New Year’s Day, with widespread flooding, transport disruptions, and continued warnings for snow, ice, and wind. Over 100 flood warnings were issued across the country, and Greater Manchester declared a major incident due to extensive flooding. The heavy rainfall, which had already caused chaos on New Year’s Eve, continued into January 1, 2025, leading to further havoc.
In Greater Manchester, areas including Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, and Wigan were severely impacted, with floodwaters trapping residents in their homes without running water or electricity. Authorities carried out rescues in Warrington and Lymm, where vehicles were stranded in floodwaters. The Environment Agency reported 109 flood warnings in England, primarily in the North West, along with 11 warnings for North Wales and 17 for Scotland.
In addition to the flooding, weather warnings for snow and ice were in place across the UK. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for northern Scotland, and a widespread warning for ice affecting much of the UK. Snow is expected to roll in over the weekend, with up to 10 cm expected in some parts of northern Scotland. The cold front is set to bring even colder Arctic air, significantly dropping temperatures.
The heavy rainfall of the past 24 hours has led to closures on several motorways in the north, while transport services continue to be affected. Rail operators, including Northern Rail and TransPennine Express, have urged passengers to check for disruptions, particularly in northern England, where flooding has caused severe delays. Services on Transport for Wales have also been impacted.
In London, the New Year’s Day parade experienced a short delay due to high winds, with the inflatable cartoon characters removed from the procession on advice from the Met Office. The poor weather has led to cancellations and delays in multiple sectors, creating a challenging start to the year for many across the UK.
With snow, ice, and wind expected to continue over the coming days, the UK is bracing for more disruptions as the stormy conditions persist.
