REVELLERS in the Hogmanay capital of the world will be able to stay dry and relatively warm as they see in 2013.
With the final countdown only days away and thousands of people heading out to street parties in Edinburgh and elsewhere across Scotland, forecasters say the high winds and storms predicted for this weekend will have passed by Monday night.
The drier weather will be accompanied by above-freezing temperatures, making a pleasant change for the hardy souls who in recent years have had to contend with sub-zero conditions.
However, the Met Office and the organisers of the capital's world-famous Hogmanay street party have told party-goers to dress for the weather. Temperatures in Edinburgh at the bells are predicted to be just above freezing, although the wind may make it feel colder.
Graeme Forrester, public weather service advisor for the Met Office, said: "There will be a fresh to strong west to north-west wind, with rain affecting the Edinburgh area on Monday morning clearing away to give generally dry weather, with lighter winds over the bells and temperatures staying above freezing at 2C or 3C. As always, revellers should dress for the conditions and wrap up warm."
Events around Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street begin tomorrow with the annual Torchlight Procession. About 75,000 revellers are expected to attend the street party on New Year's Eve.
The Maccabees, Reverend and the Makers, Admiral Fallow and Shooglenifty are among the bands scheduled to play at the event, and the celebrations will conclude with a spectacular firework display over Edinburgh Castle.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings until 8pm tonight for many areas amid reports of gale-force winds and rain, while more severe amber alerts for the Highlands and Western Isles were due to be lifted this morning.
A number of ferry routes were cancelled in the area and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has imposed 14 flood alerts and four flood warnings.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "With an amber alert in the Western Isles for gale-force winds overnight, I would urge local people to take extra care and to follow advice from the police and local authorities, particularly the risk of waves over-topping coastal defences."
Wet weather due to hit the country tomorrow could combine with cold air over central Scotland to provide flurries of snow over the central belt.
A Met Office spokesman said: "Much of Scotland will see rain on Saturday, with a band of wet weather moving from west to east across the country as the day goes on."
l A broken 100-year old town hall clock has been fitted with bells in time for Hogmanay. The Barrhead timepiece has shown the wrong time for the past decade, but has now been refurbished by East Renfrewshire Council.
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