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

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.

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!