The holiday travel season has hit some turbulence as thick fog continues to blanket much of the UK, causing significant flight disruptions at major airports. Both London Heathrow and Gatwick, two of the nation’s busiest hubs, have seen dozens of flights delayed or canceled on Saturday as the murky weather shows little sign of abating.
Fog Reduces Visibility, Grounds Flights
According to the Met Office, the national weather service, thick fog patches could reduce visibility down to a mere 100 meters in some areas. While no official fog warnings have been issued yet, meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation.
It’s that time of year when people are travelling around the country a lot and there are a lot of people on the roads. There is a lot of fog covering much of England, mainly the south-east and central England, but the rest of the country is seeing quite a bit of thick fog too.
– Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick
The dense fog resulted in flight delays of up to three hours from Gatwick on Friday evening. Saturday morning isn’t looking much better, with the Met Office warning it will remain “pretty murky” and that fog patches will linger longer before clearing.
Disruptions to Persist Through Weekend
For travelers hoping to take to the skies over the holiday weekend, the forecast doesn’t provide much relief. While fog levels could sink slightly lower on Saturday, allowing higher altitude areas to peek above the murk, the overall conditions are set to remain challenging.
Stronger winds are expected to arrive on Sunday which could help turn over the cloudy, foggy air and improve visibility. However, the Met Office cautions that sunshine will still be limited and wet, blustery weather is likely to take fog’s place in the early part of next week.
Advice for Impacted Travelers
With the fog disrupting operations at the UK’s two largest airports, travelers are urged to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport. Passengers should prepare for potential delays or cancelations and stay in close contact with their airline for the most up-to-date information.
- Monitor your flight status online or through the airline’s mobile app
- Arrive at the airport with ample time in case of extended delays
- Keep essentials like medications in your carry-on in case of unexpected overnight stays
The Met Office also advises motorists to exercise caution when driving in foggy conditions. Slowing down, allowing extra space between vehicles, and using low-beam headlights can help navigate safely when visibility is reduced.
A Hazy Start to the Holidays
As the festive season reaches its peak, this bout of foggy weather has added an extra layer of difficulty for those with holiday travel on the agenda. While the fog will eventually lift, the disruptions to air travel schedules may take some time to untangle.
Until clearer skies prevail, travelers will need to arm themselves with patience, flexibility, and perhaps a good book or two to pass the time waiting at the airport. Though it may be a murky start, here’s hoping the holiday spirit can still shine through the fog.
