Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    New year's celebrations: How do fireworks affect the weather?

09:00
31 December 2024

New year's celebrations
How do fireworks affect the weather?

Fireworks

According to some, New Year's Day it often rains, but can fireworks really change the weather?

Fireworks are largely made up of sulphur, and as they explode in the air they release clouds of smoke containing sulphur and dioxin.

These large releases of sulphur and dioxin have long been thought to affect the weather.

However, these chemicals need to reach cloud heights, several thousands of metres above the ground to make an impact.

That being said, the amount of smoke produced by fireworks can cause misty and foggy conditions, especially when the skies are clear and winds are light. This is because there are more cloud condensation nuclei present, which increases fog potential.

Best user images of 2024read more

On the flip side, the weather can also have an impact on firework displays. If humidity is low, for example, then fireworks can appear brighter. A temperature inversion can also enhance the sound of the explosions.

Keep an eye on the WeatherRadar for how your display could be shaping up!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Rainbows shine on unsettled week. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 14 June 2026
Split image showing a pastel rainbow above a lighthouse and harbor wall on the left, and an offshore wind farm stretching across the sea beyond green coastal farmland on the right.
Sunday 14 June 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Rainbows shine on unsettled week
Glaciers unprepared for coming heatwave. Little snow protection. . . Wednesday 17 June 2026
On the left is a webcam image of the Aletsch Glacier; on the right is the temperature radar, which shows the heat distribution in the Alps.
Wednesday 17 June 2026

Little snow protection

Glaciers unprepared for coming heatwave
Tornado sweeps through Italy's Foggia. So-called "landspout". . . Wednesday 17 June 2026
On the left, a tornado near a town; on the right, the weather radar for Italy
Wednesday 17 June 2026

So-called "landspout"

Tornado sweeps through Italy's Foggia
All weather news
This might also interest you
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList