As the calendar turns, New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day stand as bookends to the festive season, often with people turning to the weather forecast for their plans.
From highs to lows, with rainfall or sunshine, these days have the potential to showcase the variety of the UK’s winter weather.
Drawing on Met Office data, this article explores the weather extremes that have shaped these two dates.
Temperature extremes: From winter warmth to deep freezes
New Year’s Eve: Mild spells and record lows
New Year’s Eve has seen its share of temperature variability. The UK’s highest maximum temperature for this date is 16.8°C at Colwyn Bay (Clwyd), Wales in 2021. England’s warmest was 16.0°C at Edge (Shropshire) in 2021, Scotland reached 16.1°C at Kinlochewe & Poolewe (Ross & Cromarty) in 2021, and Northern Ireland saw 15.0°C at Magilligan (Londonderry) in 2021.
The coldest New Year’s Eve on record for the UK (and Scotland) was a frigid -22.9°C at Altnaharra (Sutherland) in 1995. England’s lowest was -18.3°C at Corbridge (Northumberland) in 1961, Wales recorded -11.7°C at Loggerheads (Clywd) in 1961, and Northern Ireland saw -12.5°C at Newry (Down) in 2000. It’s important to note that the lowest minimum temperature figures are overnight lows.
New Year’s Day: Surprising warmth and severe cold
New Year’s Day has delivered both unseasonable warmth and intense cold. The highest maximum temperature recorded on this day in the UK was 16.3°C at St James Park, London in 2022.
Scotland’s warmest New Year’s Day reached 15.9°C at Achnagart (Ross & Cromarty) in 2022, while Wales saw 16.2°C at Arthog Fergla Fach Farm (Gwynedd) in 2022. Northern Ireland’s warmest was 15.1°C at Murlough (Down) in 2015.
In stark contrast, the coldest New Year’s Day on record for the UK (and Scotland) was -18.5°C at Eskdalemuir (Dumfries & Galloway) in 1962. England’s lowest was -17.2°C at Wallingford (Oxfordshire) in 1962, Wales recorded -15.9°C at Loggerheads (Clywd) in 1979, and Northern Ireland saw -17.5°C at Magherally (Down) in 1979. It’s important to note that these figures are overnight lows.
You can explore these records by using our interactive graph below.
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Rainfall and snow: Wettest days and deepest snow
New Year’s Eve: Heavy rain and widespread snow
On New Year’s Eve, the UK’s wettest was 144.2mm at Honister Pass (Cumbria), England in 2024. Scotland saw 119.2mm at Cassley (Sutherland) in 1983, Wales recorded 144.0mm at Capel Curig (Gwynedd) in 2024, and Northern Ireland had 82.0mm at Trassey (Down) in 2000.
Snowfall has also been significant at times, with the deepest snow depth for the UK and Scotland being 66cm at Fettercairn (Kincardineshire) in 1961. England’s deepest was 51cm at Bodiam (East Sussex) in 1962, Wales saw 45cm at Lake Vyrnwy (Powys) in 1978, and Northern Ireland recorded 15cm at Killylane (Antrim) in 2000.
New Year’s Day: Deluges and snow depths
The UK’s wettest New Year’s Day was 155.5mm at Achnagart (Ross & Cromarty), Scotland in 1992. England’s wettest was 104.4mm at White Barrow (Devon) in 2024, Wales saw 97.8mm at Cowlyd (Gwynedd) in 1991, and Northern Ireland recorded 57.9mm at Newcastle (Down) in 1996.
Snow has also left its mark. The deepest snow depth on New Year’s Day in the UK was 66cm at Fettercairn (Kincardineshire), Scotland in 1962. England’s deepest was 56cm at Bodiam (East Sussex) in 1963, Wales saw 45cm at Lake Vyrnwy (Powys) in 1979, and Northern Ireland recorded 20cm at Aldergrove (Antrim) in 1951.
You can explore these records by using our interactive graph below.
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Wind and sunshine: Gusts and bright spells
New Year’s Eve: Strong winds and bright spells
On New Year’s Eve, the UK’s highest maximum gust was 106mph at Lynemouth (Northumberland), England in 1983. Scotland saw 94mph at Fair Isle (Shetland) in 2003, Wales recorded 82mph at Capel Curig (Gwynedd) in 2006, and Northern Ireland had 84mph at Ballykelly (Londonderry) in 2006.
UK and England sunshine records for New Year’s Eve include 7.7 hours at Newton Abbot (Devon) in 1970 and St Mawgan (Cornwall) in 2001. Scotland’s sunniest was 6.8 hours at Dumfries (Dumfriesshire) in 2001, Wales saw 7.2 hours at Rhoose (South Glamorgan) in 1970, and Northern Ireland recorded 6.8 hours at Belfast Malone (Antrim) in 1978.
New Year’s Day: Powerful gusts and sunny moments
The UK’s highest maximum gust on New Year’s Day was at 113mph at Sumburgh (Shetland), Scotland in 1992. England’s highest 102mph at Needles (Wight) in 1998, Wales saw 75mph at Capel Curig (Gwynedd) in 2005, and Northern Ireland recorded 85mph at Killough (Down) in 1998.
Sunshine has also featured, with the sunniest day for the UK being 7.7 hours at St Mawgan & Newquay (Cornwall), England in 1979. Scotland’s sunniest was 6.8 hours at Stirling (Stirlingshire) in 1980, Wales saw 7.5 hours at Aberystwyth (Dyfed) in 1962 and Rhoose (South Glamorgan) in 1979, and Northern Ireland recorded 7.0 hours at Annalong (Down) in 1985.
The weather records for New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve reveal the UK’s remarkable climatic diversity. From warmth to severe cold, from torrential rain to deep snow, and from powerful winds to bright sunshine, these days have witnessed the full spectrum of British weather.
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