The first day of 2025 in Bristol and Somerset is set to be a windy one, with the Met Office issuing a weather warning and providing details on when the region can expect the most severe gusts. A severe weather warning will be in effect for 21 hours, starting from 9am on Wednesday (January 1) until 6am on Thursday.
This warning applies to all of England and Wales and includes a minor ‘danger to life’ risk due to potential flying debris. There’s also the possibility of extended travel times, damage to buildings, power outages, and large waves and beach materials being thrown onto sea fronts – some bridges may even close.
In Bristol and Somerset, wind speeds are expected to rise on New Year’s Eve, peaking on New Year’s Day afternoon amid blustery conditions. Wind speeds will vary, exceeding 30mph in the morning and reaching up to 56mph in certain areas in the afternoon, before decreasing overnight into Thursday.
Peak wind gusts on New Year’s Day in Bristol and Somerset
Bristol: 53mph at 3pm to 6pm
Bath: 56mph at 3pm to 6pm
Yeovil: 58mph at 3pm to 6pm
Taunton: 53mph at 3pm to 6pm
Weston-super-Mare: 52mph from noon to 6pm
Bridgwater: 54mph noon to 3pm
West Country Met Office forecast
Tonight: Staying generally dry this evening overnight with clear periods and light winds. Patchy mist and fog forming and turning chilly with a few pockets of frost in the countryside. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
Monday: Early mist and fog patches clearing, then a largely fine day with sunny periods. Feeling mild by the afternoon with just a light southwesterly breeze. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Unsettled mid-week with heavy rain and strong winds at times, perhaps gales in places. Mild at first but turning much colder with bright spells and scattered wintry showers by Thursday.