Fog descends across London and southeast England as Met Office issues yellow weather warning

Londoners awoke to an unusually thick fog on Saturday morning as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning to last for hours.

According to the forecaster, clearing skies over southeast England this evening and overnight has led to mist and in some places, dense fog.

The warning stated: “Visibility will fall below 100m in some places. The fog will gradually lift and clear to mist and haze during Saturday morning, persisting longest where visibilities are poorest early on.”

Members of the public were advised they may face slower journey times, with possible delays to bus and train services.

The warning added there was a chance of delays or cancellations to flights, however at the time of writing, schedules at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports appear to be running as normal.

And despite fears of delays on public service, TfL buses and all but one London Underground line was in operation, with planned part closures on the Overground.

The unusually thick fog attracted plenty of commentary online. Broadcaster Emma Woolf wrote on X: “Very cold and foggy out at 4am - definitely the coldest morning of the year so far! And the 'polar vortex' hasn't even collapsed yet.”

A second person posted: “Rather foggy outside this morning. I can't see what's at the end of the alleyway.”

Another X user wrote: “It’s a real pea souper this morning.”

After the early fog clears today, southern parts of the UK are expected to see some sunshine although evening fog may return, according to the Met Office.

National Rail has urged weekend travellers to check their journeys before setting off, particularly on routes moving through outer boroughs where the visibility remains poorest.

On the roads, motoring groups like the the AA issued guidance for drivers navigating the hazardous conditions across the capital, advising reduced speeds and the strategic use of fog lights. Meanwhile, central areas are experiencing a lingering gloom, with iconic landmarks like the London Eye and Shard entirely obscured from street view.