London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks in jeopardy with 45mph wind to hit as expert warns ‘brace for disappointment’
Share:
FIREWORK displays for New Year's Eve could be in jeopardy - including in London where 45mph winds are forecast. Fireworks expert Stephen Miller - whose firm consults on spectacular displays nation-wide - has revealed the issues organisers will be facing in the coming hours - and spectators maybe left disappointed.
![[The 2024 New Year's Eve firework display in London]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fireworks-light-london-skyline-big-960602145.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A firework display health and safety consultant for Bromley Council for over 25 years, Mr Miller said there's a chance the more hazardous effects may have to be cut if the weather keeps up. The Met Office is forecasting snow, torrential rain and severe winds in parts of the UK as the New Year is ushered in.
![[The London display is set off near the Eye and Big Ben]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fireworks-light-london-sky-london-960602120.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A number of firework displays have already had to be axed completely due to the adverse conditions. London could see 45mph wind gusts on Tuesday night, while other areas are facing winds of up to 70mph. Former MOD research scientist and bomb disposal engineer Mr Miller told The Sun the most important aspect is the wind speed.
![[Mayor of London Sadiq Khan]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/greater-manchester-mayor-andy-burnham-915839315.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
In 2004 he was consulting on a display in Crystal Palace when five minutes beforehand the wind speed changed by 180 degrees. He advised the organisers to call it off due to the risk of debris being blown into the ticket-paying crowd. However, he said after some consultation, it was agreed to reposition the barriers and project the display over the car park.
After a 30-minute delay it was able to go ahead as planned. "The wind speed and direction are the most important things," he told the Sun. "You need to make sure you’ve got a free area downwind so any debris that comes off the fireworks isn’t populated by people.
