Drivers brace for challenging conditions on the roads this week as persistent fog is forecast.
The UK got a taste of what the storm season has in store after Storms Austen and Boelo wreaked havoc across the country.
The deadly storms brought torrential rain and gusts of up to 80mph, killing a 29-year-old man in north London when a tree crushed his car and a 60-year-old man in Scotland on Sunday.
While the start of the week saw slightly more settled weather for many in England, dense fog is expected to form overnight, bringing tricky commutes for millions of drivers on Thursday.
Here is what to expect later this week and how to travel safely in low visibility.
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Where will fog develop?
Most people in southern and central England got to enjoy a spell of mild weather and clear skies yesterday after the storms eased.
Following a mostly dry Thursday night, mist and fog will begin to creep in across central and southern England, the Met Office said.
The forecaster’s weather map shows that mist could form in parts of east Wales, West Midlands, and across Northamptonshire.
Large parts of East Anglia will be drenched in fog, which could linger throughout the peak morning rush hour, spelling difficult journeys and reduced visibility.
Patches of fog could even remain until lunchtime before it clears.
People should wrap up warm tomorrow morning as grey conditions could make it feel chillier than usual.
Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: ‘From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the north and west.’
On Friday and Saturday, some rain is forecast in northern and western parts of the British Isles, while large parts of the UK are set to be dry and settled.
However, there is a risk of night-time fog in parts of eastern and southern England, and the conditions could return early next week.
Driving in foggy conditions
Fog, which is the most common from October until March, can hamper visibility on the road.
Particularly dense fog can reduce visibility to just a couple of feet ahead.
The motoring expert AA has shared tips for how to venture out on the roads safely when it’s foggy:
- Opt for dipped headlights, wipers and demisters
- Pop your fog lights on when you need to, but switch them off again when visibility improves
- Beware of other drivers not having the appropriate headlights on
- Adjust speed depending on conditions
- Slow down so that you have more time to stop
- Allow three seconds instead of two between you and the car in front
- At junctions where visibility is poor, open your window and listen for traffic
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