UK issued widespread fog warning with drivers urged to ‘avoid travelling’
A thick blanket of fog covers a large portion of the United Kingdom today – prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning.
Millions of Britons are being impacted by the mist from across the East of England and the North West.
The yellow warning, which began at 4am today and lasts until 10am, stretches from Norwich, Cambridge and Ipswich in the east, all the way up to Middlesbrough.
Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool are all affected on the other side of the UK.
The Met Office said areas of fog will be dense in places, reducing visibility to less than 100m at times which may lead to some travel delays, while the fog will lift and clear during the morning.
Clare Nasir, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: ‘First thing there are some mist and fog patches, as well as some low cloud.
‘High pressure extends across the country through Wednesday before this weather front moves in. Some heavier pulses of rain across western Scotland, weakening all the while as it sinks down through the south.
‘More rain on its way through Thursday, a stronger wind and the air turns colder.
‘Hazy sunshine across the north and the west of Scotland associated with this weather front moving in later, affecting the outer Hebrides.
‘Elsewhere, it’s a fine day with some sunshine, any showery rain across Shetland first thing will clear. Temperatures will be a degree higher than yesterday coming in around 14, 15, 16, 17 degrees C but a breezy end to the day with stronger wind across western Scotland as that rain slowly moves.
‘Through this evening and overnight it will turn wet across northern and western Scotland, the far north and west of Northern Ireland.
‘Elsewhere again we could see one or two fog patches as we head into Thursday morning, with a lighter breeze, particularly towards the south where it would be a bit of a cool start to the day.’
When it’s foggy, drivers are recommended to only drive when necessary, ensure their headlights are working properly and to use their fog lights – when required.
Drivers should only use fog lights when visibility drops below 100m, according to The Highway Code.
If you’re not sure when that is, check if you can see the tail lights of the car in front of you. If you can’t, you should be using rear fog lights.
Then, when visibility rises above 100m, remember to turn off lights to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Lastly, drive slowly and keep your distance – you never know what could be in front of you in low visibility.
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