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
Cheshire Gap produces shower funnel. Local phenomenon. . . Wednesday 9 September 2026
Weather map showing showers moving southeast from Liverpool toward Birmingham, driven by Cheshire Gap convergence across central England.
Wednesday 9 September 2026

Local phenomenon

Cheshire Gap produces shower funnel
Autumn colours light the skies. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 13 September 2026
Split image showing a fiery red-orange sunset over a rural road and fields beside a golden sea sunset with a silhouetted seabird in flight.
Sunday 13 September 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Autumn colours light the skies
Hurricane Lowell threatens Hawaii. Gales and flash floods. . . Tuesday 8 September 2026
WindRadar showing Hurricane Lowell north-west of Hawaii and its well-defined storm centre.
Tuesday 8 September 2026

Gales and flash floods

Hurricane Lowell threatens Hawaii
All weather news
This might also interest you
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
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
Historic Storm Éowyn arrives. On this day.... . . Saturday 24 January 2026
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
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