Shropshire set to be mild but windy for New Year
The Met Office today forecast that New Year's Eve celebrations will be rather windy with a mix of cloudy skies and some outbreaks of rain.
Those heading out to see in the New Year in Shropshire will see mild temperatures for the time of year with overnight temperatures ranging from around 5C - 10C, although the strong to gales force westerly winds will make it feel colder.
New Year's Day will be cloudy with outbreaks of showery rain for many. Although the day will start rather mild it will feel colder in the strong wind.
Anthony Astbury, Met Office Chief Forecaster said: "For those out celebrating the New Year the most notable feature will be the windy conditions with the risk of gales in the north. The wind will certainly take the edge of the otherwise rather mild conditions we are likely to see ushering in 2012."
Average December finishes a warm 2011
Provisional figures from the Met Office reveal temperatures this December have been close to average, but 2011 overall is the second warmest year on record for the UK.
The mean temperature so far this December has been 4.7 °C, 0.5 °C above the 1971-2000 average. This is a big swing from 2010, when temperatures were 5 °C below average to notch up the coldest December on record.
John Prior, National Climate Manager at the Met Office, said: "While it may have felt mild for many so far this December, temperatures overall have been close to what we would expect.
"It may be that the stark change from last year, which was the coldest December on record for the UK, has led many to think it has been unseasonably warm."
