UK weather: Met Office in freezing fog warning telling drivers ‘be careful’ as poor visibility sparks travel carnage
THE Met Office has urged drivers to be careful after issuing a freezing fog warning – with gale force winds also forecast.
The national weather agency posted on X this morning describing “dense freezing fog patches around in the south” as commuters face travel carnage.
It comes after temperatures plummeted to -6C amid 60mph winds.
A severe warning for fog remains in place across part of the south coast until 9am.
It states: “Patches of dense, locally freezing, fog have formed across the warning area, reducing visibility to less than 100 m in places.
“This will make for some tricky driving conditions.”
There is also a chance of flight delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, heavy rain is on the cards for some.
Areas affected by the weather warning
The yellow weather warning for fog is in place until 9am.
Regions and local authorities affected:
London & South East England
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Portsmouth
Southampton
West Sussex
South West England
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
Dorset
Wiltshire
The Environment Agency has issued one flood warning and 28 alerts across England today.
Meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “Weather fronts continue through Wednesday, accumulations of rainfall through the next 36 hours could amount to the far north west of Scotland 16-18mm.
“The winds change direction into Thursday and they lose their sting across the far north.”
She went on to say: “If you’re stepping out first thing this morning it’s cold outside across most of England and Wales. A frost towards the south and also some fog patches which will be fairly slow to clear.
“It could be murky in places if you are travelling. Further north, always more cloud…
“For the central belt, expect some rain this morning… again it’s fairly sporadic.”
She added: “Notice this wind, it’s strong, touching gale force across exposed parts of the far north west and this is where we’re seeing the most persistent rain…
“Wherever you are there’s a real mixed fortune in terms of our weather. It’s cold across the south first thing, and it’s wet and windy, and temperatures will be slightly milder further north.”
Wind gusts could reach as high as 51mph in northern Scotland today.
5-day weather forecast
Today:
Rather cloudy and windy in the north and northwest with mostly light rain affecting parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Fog and frost clearing elsewhere, with some pleasantly warm sunshine developing.
Tonight:
Remaining cloudy and windy in the northwest, with patchy rain continuing, and perhaps the some heavier bursts for western Scotland. Dry and clear across much of the south and east.
Thursday:
Patchy rain and a brisk southwesterly breeze continues across Scotland and Northern Ireland on Thursday. Sunshine elsewhere, though turning cloudier with showery rain from the west later. Milder than Wednesday.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Showery rain developing more widely on Friday, with bright spells and showers on Saturday. Dry to start for most on Sunday although showery rain from the southwest later.