WEB DESK
New Zealand has become the first country in the world to usher in the year 2018. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders took to streets and beaches, as the new year dawned in this southern hemisphere nation, fireworks boomed and crackled above city centres and harbours.
Meanwhile, Australians will welcome 2018 with a rainbow-themed fireworks in Sydney.
The last places on Earth to see in the New Year are minor outlying US islands like Baker Island and Howland Island – although these are uninhabited. The last inhabited island is American Samoa which will welcome 2018 when it’s 11am in London on January 1.
When major cities will welcome 2018
11.00 GMT Auckland, New Zealand
13:00 GMT Sydney, Australia
15:00 Tokyo
16:00 Beijing and Hong Kong
20:00 Dubai
23:00 Paris, Rome and Brussels
00:00 London
05:00 New York
08:00 Los Angeles
In the UK, Storm Dylan is set to bring a wet and windy end to the year, with howling gales in excess of 70mph hitting parts of Ireland and Wales and squally rain bearing down on the UK mainland. Forecasters have warned of severe gusts of up to 80mph.
Across the pond, New Yorkers have been warned as they prepare for one of the coldest New Year celebrations on record.
Revellers have been told to bring handwarmers, wrap up warm and avoid alcohol as they flock to Times Square, which is due to hit a frosty 11 degrees celcius, which would tie for second place with 1962. The coldest ever recorded New Year’s Eve at Times Square was in 1917, when it was -17 Celsius at midnight.
Drinking alcohol is warned against because it causes body temperature to drop faster. Partygoers have been told to cover all exposed skin.
An impressive fireworks display lit up Hong Kong as partygoers counted down to 2018.
The musical fireworks stretched 1.1km along the harbourfront, during the 10-minute show which started at midnight.
