Those who are looking forward to withdraw their first euro notes from an ATM as soon as the clock strikes midnight on 31 December had better hold on tight to their crisp new banknotes – the Met Office is predicting strong winds for the last few hours of 2007.

According to the Meteorological Office at the Malta International Airport, the weather will be cloudy with rain or showers and strong winds on New Year’s Eve.

However, the ladies who have already booked their appointments for their party blow-dries need not worry unduly as the weather is forecast to improve as the night progresses after midnight on New Year’s eve, becoming mostly cloudy with moderate winds on the first day of the year.

Temperatures will remain constant but low, with a minimum of 12 degrees Celsius and a high of 14 degrees Celsius.