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

Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in India. 100,000 people evacuated. . Weather Videos. Wednesday 28 October 2026
Split weather maps showing an intense cyclone off India's east coast near Visakhapatnam, with red-purple wind zones, heavy blue rain and warning symbols.
Weather VideosWednesday 28 October 2026

100,000 people evacuated

Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in India
Calmer autumn views on a stormy week. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 25 October 2026
Split image showing swirling orange-pink sunset clouds above green countryside and golden wispy clouds over a tree-lined car park.
Sunday 25 October 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Calmer autumn views on a stormy week
Autumn storms sweep across Europe. Boelo and more. . . Monday 26 October 2026
Split image showing a wind forecast with 60 mph near Aberdeen and 50 mph near Dublin, beside a fallen tree blocking a pavement near parked cars.
Monday 26 October 2026

Boelo and more

Autumn storms sweep across Europe
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
A stormy week in the skies above. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 30 August 2026
Split image showing lightning branching beneath dark storm clouds above rooftops on the left and an orange-pink sunset over a calm sea on the right.
Sunday 30 August 2026

Your weather - Your shots

A stormy week in the skies above
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
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