Met Office gives warning to drivers as ‘dense’ fog to settle over parts of the UK

After a tumultuous weekend of storms, the UK is set for more disruption, as a spell of “dense” fog is set to settle over parts of the country.

The Met Office said further travel disruptions could be on the cards after a bout of mist and fog hits the south and central parts of the UK on Thursday morning.

Alex Burkill, Met Office forecaster, said: “One thing we do need to be aware of is the risk of some mist and fog and general murkiness, especially across central, southern parts of England. That’s where it’s likely to be most widespread, and locally dense first thing on Thursday morning. It could cause some problems on the road.”

While the fog may be slow to clear in places on Thursday, Friday and the weekend’s weather will see cloud and mostly light, patchy rain affecting Scotland, Northern Ireland and other northwestern areas.

The southeast is in store for brighter weather, as temperatures are expected to reach average for this time of year, if not higher.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the UK would see a “big flip in the weather” over the next 48 hours.

He said: “We’re saying goodbye to the low pressure and saying hello again to high pressure.”

Mr Snell added that Wednesday would still be “fairly blustery”, with scattered showers before winds begin to drop in the evening.

It comes after the first two storms of the season, Austen and Boelo, battered the UK over the weekend, with winds reaching up to 110mph last Friday, and multiple “danger to life” warnings issued by the Met Office.

Two men were killed by falling trees on Sunday: a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London; and Richard Baines, 60, in Dumfries and Galloway.

A woman in her 50s died after being pulled from the sea off the Isle of Wight.

She was walking her dog when she was reportedly caught by waves on the revetment between Sandown and Shanklin on Monday, according to the Isle of Wight County Press.

Her dog survived, the newspaper reported.

Met Office 5-day forecast

Tonight:

Mostly dry overnight with clear spells, though a few showers in the west. Mist and fog developing across central and southern England, where it will also turn chilly.

Thursday:

A mainly dry day with a mix of cloud and sunny spells, after the clearance of morning fog and low cloud from southern and central England. Temperatures near average.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Rain will move into northern and western areas for a time during Friday and Saturday. Otherwise largely dry and settled with variable amounts of cloud and some night-time fog.