NEW Year’s Eve celebrations in West Somerset and Wellington areas could be disrupted by severe weather sweeping across much of the county, the Met Office has said.

It has issued a yellow weather warning for gales and heavy showers which will be in place all day until midnight Sunday (December 31).

Winds of up to 40 mph could be experienced inland, and up to 75 mph on the coast, causing problems for partygoers and fireworks displays.

Sunday’s warning was the latest in a string of alerts in the past seven days which the Met Office said was due to a low pressure system which had been sitting over much of the UK and which it did not believe would clear until the early part of this week.

The Met Office said New Year's Eve would end with coastal gales and heavy showers, which could include thundery weather.

There would be fewer showers as 2024 arrived, with the winds gradually easing during the early hours.

It should stay frost-free with a minimum temperature of 5C.

The Environment Agency meanwhile warned of possible flooding in many areas as rainfall saw river levels rise.

The River Parrett was threatening Cannington, Combwich, Otterhampton, Stockland Bristol, Steart, and Stolford.

The agency said the West Somerset coast was also under threat with a high tide on Sunday evening at about 9.15 pm.

A spokesperson said: “Strong winds and spring tides may cause large waves and spray overtopping on the coast this evening.

“Areas most at risk include the coastline between Gore Point and Hurlstone Point, including Porlock Weir.”

However, they did not expect any properties to be flooded and said after this time tide heights would fall and wind speeds drop with no further impacts expected.

“Our incident response staff are closing flood gates and checking defences and we will continue to monitor levels closely,” said the spokesperson.

“Please be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths, and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”

West Somerset river levels also remained high at the Beggearn Huish river gauge in response to the heavy rainfall on Saturday and overnight.

Areas most at risk included the Horner Water, Rivers Aller and Washford, and the Hawkcombe, Monksilver, and Doniford Streams and tributaries, with the weather remaining unsettled with further rain possible over the next few days.

The spokesperson said: “We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and will issue flood warnings where necessary.

“Please consider local water levels, weather conditions, and your flood plan if you have one.

“Avoid using low lying footpaths, roads, and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.”

The middle River Exe from Exebridge to Tiverton, and the Rivers Haddeo, Batherm, and Lowman were also of concern with a flood risk throughout the day following heavy overnight rain.

The spokesperson said: “Further showers are still forecast today and more heavy rain is expected from tomorrow afternoon.

“The weather generally remains unsettled for the next week, bringing wet and windy conditions.

“River levels on the middle River Exe are expected to remain high and will be sensitive to further rainfall.

“Levels suggest there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the river. “

Flooding was also possible along the Rivers Culm, Clyst, and Otter, with Hemyock, Culmstock, and Uffculme under particular threat and more rain expected on New Year’s Day.

However, a flood alert for the River Tone was lifted on Sunday with the agency saying water levels were falling in the Greenham, Halsewater, Hillfarrance Brook, Clatworthy, and Milverton areas.

The spokesperson said although the threat of flooding had passed, standing water and debris would remain until it could naturally drain away.

They said: “Continue to take care on waterside roads and footpaths and do not put yourself in unnecessary danger.”

The River Tone had earlier been close to overtopping through Bradford on Tone and Wellington firefighters were called out to rescue a motorist as the road to Nynehead was closed by floodwater.