Over 100 flood warnings have been issued across the UK, with Greater Manchester declaring a major incident as storms bring severe wind and rain on the first day of 2025.
Residents have faced widespread disruption, with some trapped in their homes and others rescued from vehicles submerged in floodwaters.
Greater Manchester Police reported that flooding left people stranded without running water and electricity, while emergency services carried out multiple rescues overnight. Among the worst-hit areas were Bolton, Didsbury, South Manchester, Harpurhey, North Manchester, Stalybridge, Stockport, and Wigan. In Stockport, floodwaters inundated a car park, submerging vehicles up to their windows and leaving some residents trapped in flats without power or water.
Rescues amid rising waters
Authorities conducted two overnight rescues in Warrington and Lymm after drivers became stranded in floodwaters. The Environment Agency (EA) issued 109 flood warnings in England, predominantly in the North West, alongside 11 warnings in North Wales and 17 in Scotland.
Weather warnings in place
The Met Office has issued several weather warnings:
- Snow and Ice: Northern Scotland faces a yellow warning for snow and ice until 3:00 PM, with blizzard conditions possible in Sutherland and Caithness.
- Ice: Scotland, Northern Ireland, and much of England and Wales are under a yellow ice warning into Thursday morning.
- Wind: Southern England and Wales remain under a yellow wind warning until 3:00 PM.
Rain warnings for parts of the UK, including North West England, have now been lifted, but disruptions continue. In northern Scotland, snowfall is expected to bring up to 10 cm on higher ground, with arctic air moving southward causing bitterly cold conditions.
Weekend snow forecast
The cold snap is set to worsen over the weekend, with a yellow snow warning covering most of the UK. This includes southern Scotland, northern England, the Midlands, Wales, and parts of the southeast and southwest. An incoming low-pressure system on Sunday may bring rain and significant snowfall to some areas, likely causing further disruption.
Transportation chaos
Flooding and adverse weather have severely impacted transportation. Northern Rail has canceled numerous services, including those to and from Manchester Airport, while TransPennine Express has advised passengers not to travel. Transport for Wales and Northern Ireland’s Translink have also warned of blocked routes and delays.
New Year celebrations impacted
While London and Manchester’s New Year’s celebrations went ahead as planned, others were canceled due to safety concerns. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities were called off, along with events in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight, and Ripon. Despite these cancellations, thousands gathered along London’s Embankment to witness the midnight fireworks over the Thames, braving the challenging conditions.
Blackpool’s fireworks were canceled due to high winds, but other events, such as a projection show marking the start of 2025, proceeded as planned. Scotland’s Culture Secretary Angus Robertson supported the cancellations, emphasizing public safety as the priority.
Looking ahead
As the UK braces for colder temperatures and potential snowfall, residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and travel advisories. With ongoing disruptions, the start of 2025 has been marked by resilience amid challenging weather conditions. Photo by Malcolm Campbell, Wikimedia commons.
