Stormy end to the year
Shropshire is bracing itself for two bouts of stormy weather which forecasters say are expected to hit the country in the last few days of 2006.
New Year's Eve revellers face gale force winds in many areas, although Shropshire looks set to miss the strongest gusts.
An area of low pressure was expected to bring high winds and rain to much of the UK today, ending a period of relative calm.
Forecasters said there was likely to be a brief respite tomorrow, before more gale force winds on New Year's Eve.
Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said: "The strongest winds are likely tonight in Shropshire, but only up to about 50mph, then again on New Year's Eve.
"It won't be all that cold, it looks as though it will be mild, wet and windy in the first few days of the new year."
In 2003 Edinburgh's Hogmanay party was cancelled at the last-minute because of stormy weather, disappointing thousands of people.
Organisers of the city's Hogmanay 2007 said there were no plans for any cancellations.
Winds gusting to speeds of 60mph to 70mph could hit areas of Northern Ireland, north-west England, Scotland and Wales tonight. Ferries in the Irish Sea have already been disrupted.
The Highways Agency has also advised motorists to take extra care as many people go out to parties. Although temperatures will be above average, high winds are expected to be accompanied by rain.
MeteoGroup UK forecaster Julian Mayes said: "The timing is very inconvenient for events and festivities on New Year's Eve with lots of people hoping to be outdoors."