The UK is set to experience more heavy fog over the weekend, following significant disruptions to flights across the country on Friday. Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester faced delays and cancellations as dense fog reduced visibility, with more challenges expected if the misty conditions persist.
The Met Office has forecast thick fog patches, particularly affecting the South East, central England, East Anglia, and parts of South Wales. Visibility could drop to as low as 100 metres in some areas, creating hazardous travel conditions. While no formal fog weather warnings have been issued yet, the Met Office is closely monitoring the situation and may update its advisories as needed.
Liam Eslick, a meteorologist with the Met Office, highlighted the impact on travel during the busy holiday season. “It’s that time of year when people are travelling around the country a lot, and there are many people on the roads. There is a lot of fog covering much of England, mainly in the South East and central regions, but the rest of the country is also seeing quite a bit of thick fog. It will be pretty murky on Saturday morning, and fog patches may take longer to clear,” Eslick said.
Meanwhile, Scotland is preparing for heavy rain early next week, with a yellow weather warning in place for Monday and New Year’s Eve on Tuesday. The Met Office predicts up to 140mm (5.5 inches) of rainfall in some areas, which could lead to travel disruptions and impact Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. Organizers have advised attendees to prepare for wet and windy conditions, dress warmly, and check with travel operators for updates.
Across the UK, the weather will remain unsettled into the start of 2025, with rain, wind, and even snow possible later in the week.
Friday’s foggy conditions forced British Airways to cancel several flights at Heathrow, while others faced delays. Gatwick experienced delays of up to three hours, and Manchester Airport also reported disruptions. NATS, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, implemented temporary air traffic restrictions at several airports due to the poor visibility.
Travelers are advised to monitor updates from airlines and airports as the weekend progresses, as foggy conditions and adverse weather could continue to impact travel plans.
