A New Year charity dip in Minehead has been postponed in the wake of a yellow weather warning for wind. Supporters of St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton were going to face the cold water at Minehead Beach tomorrow (Wednesday, January 1), but were forced to reschedule as the beach may be battered by winds of up to 50 miles per hour.
The inauspicious start to 2025 comes as most of England and the whole of Somerset will be impacted by a yellow weather warning for wind between 12.15am and 3pm on New Year’s Day. According to the Met Office, this means there will be a “small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris”, as well as “from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties”.
The Met Office also warned there is a “slight chance” of power cuts, problems with phone signal and a small chance of road closures. Public transport may also be impacted.
Minehead New Year’s Day Swim for St Margaret’s Hospice Care
A representative for St Margaret’s Hospice said: “It is with sadness that we have decided to postpone tomorrow’s New Years Day Dip at Minehead Beach. We have been closely monitoring the weather warnings and the forecast has not improved.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and the public is our priority, and with winds of up to 50 mph expected and heavy rain due to hit the coast at the time of our event, we cannot proceed. The good news is that we plan to reschedule the event in early March to coincide with our 45th birthday! Further details will be released soon.
“As always, we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our Somerset community and look forward to welcoming participants to a revised Dip date very soon.”
New Year’s celebrations have been cancelled across the UK due to severe weather. In Edinburgh, high profile events such as Hogmanay have been cancelled. Fireworks displays in Newcastle and Lowestoft have also gotten the chop.
St Margaret’s Hospice supports people of all ages with serious illnesses. They supported 4,833 people across Somerset and answered over 31,000 calls on their advice line in 2023.
SOUTH WEST WEATHER FORECAST
Today:
A mainly dry day, though pockets of drizzle are possible over the Moors. Whilst generally cloudy, skies may brighten at times to give some hazy sunshine. Windy, with coastal gales possible in the west during the afternoon. Mild. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
Tonight:
Winds strengthening further with gales becoming more widespread overnight. Staying rather cloudy with limited clear intervals. Mostly dry, but isolated drizzle is still possible. A mild night. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
Wednesday:
A wet and windy New Year’s Day as heavy rain crosses the region in association with widespread gales, severe in the west. Turning drier and calmer into the evening. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Much sunnier to end the week, but also notably colder with some sharp overnight frosts. A few showers possible in the west on Thursday, wintry over the hills. Light winds.
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