Lommel (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Strong winds up to 70 km/h are forecast for New Year’s Eve. Lommel postponed its fireworks, and De Panne canceled theirs. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are also canceled for safety. Mayor Wim Jansens stressed the importance of staying safe.
This New Year’s Eve, strong winds are expected, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour, especially near the coast. These conditions can make fireworks dangerous, increasing the chance of accidents. To stay safe, it is recommended to avoid using fireworks in crowded places and to use ground-based options instead. It has been said that the windy weather is likely to continue into New Year’s Day, so caution is needed during celebrations. People should follow local rules and consider safer options like community events to celebrate the New Year.
Will strong winds disrupt New Year’s celebrations in Lommel and Edinburgh?
Lommel has postponed its New Year’s Eve fireworks to Saturday, and De Panne has canceled its fireworks for New Year’s Day for safety reasons. Mayor Wim Janssens said they cancel events when winds are expected to be strong, but the Christmas village will still be open. Other towns like Ostend and Middelkerke will decide later today if they can have their fireworks. Last year, some places had fireworks even with strong winds, while others canceled.
In the Netherlands, strong winds are coming, so bonfires in Scheveningen, Duindorp, and Laak were lit early. Some villages in Friesland won’t have bonfires this year. Many New Year’s dives on the coast are canceled because of big waves. In the UK, heavy winds and rain are expected, and some places might even get snow. In Edinburgh, Scotland, the Hogmanay celebrations have been canceled, and there are flood warnings in several areas.
