Drivers have been warned to take extra care when driving in the thick fog(Image: Getty Images)

UK fog warnings – full list of affected areas as Met Office warns of travel chaos

The Met Office has warned 'dense' fog will cause delays across more than 40 areas during this morning's rush hour commute - with bus and train services, as well as flights and ferry travel impacted

by · The Mirror

More than 40 areas across the UK have been blanketed in thick, dense fog this morning, bringing "problems of visibility" and major travel chaos, the Met Office says.

Brits in the impacted areas are likely to face disruption and delays throughout rush hour, with bus and train services, as well as flights and ferry travel affected. The yellow weather warning was issued from 4.09am this morning and will remain in place until at least 9am.

It covers 42 areas across the UK, including London, Chelmsford, Oxford, and Southampton. The Met Office has now urged Brits to check road conditions before setting off on their early morning travels, while drivers have been warned to leave extra time for their journeys.

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42 areas have been hit with heavy fog and face travel chaos( Image: Met Office)

The forecaster said: "Areas of fog, including some dense patches reducing visibility to less than 100 metres at times, will impact travel during the morning rush hour. Fog will, however, slowly lift and clear through this morning.

"Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off on your journey. Bus and train services, as well as flights and ferry travel may also be affected; check for updates from your travel company and follow their advice."

According to the Highway Code, headlights should be used when visibility is below 100 metres. Before setting off on a foggy journey, drivers should make sure their lights, especially fog lights, are working properly. Advising those who are planning to travel this morning, the Met Office says it’s best to avoid it altogether, if possible. The forecaster describes fog as "a major travel hazard which can lead to problems of visibility when travelling."

Huge swathes of the UK have woken up to a blanket of thick fog( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

For those who will need to drive today, it advised: “Drive very slowly with dipped headlights” and avoid full-beam lights as these “reflect off the fog causing a 'white wall' effect”.

Brits are also being asked to keep an eye on speed because fog can give the illusion of moving in slow motion. The Met Office added: “Use fog lights, but remember to turn them off when the visibility improves. Don't hang on the tail lights of the car in front, rear lights can give a false sense of security” and “Watch out for freezing fog which is made of water droplets that freeze on contact with objects such as the pavement, road, car, etc. It can quickly form a layer of ice.”

Full list of areas impacted by yellow fog warnings:

East Midlands

  • Leicestershire
  • Lincolnshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Rutland

East of England

  • Bedford
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Central Bedfordshire
  • Essex
  • Hertfordshire
  • Luton
  • Norfolk
  • Peterborough
  • Southend-on-Sea
  • Suffolk
  • Thurrock

London & South East England

  • Bracknell Forest
  • Brighton and Hove
  • Buckinghamshire
  • East Sussex
  • Greater London
  • Hampshire
  • Kent
  • Medway
  • Milton Keynes
  • Oxfordshire
  • Portsmouth
  • Reading
  • Slough
  • Southampton
  • Surrey
  • West Berkshire
  • West Sussex
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Wokingham

South West England

  • Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
  • Dorset
  • Gloucestershire
  • Swindon
  • Wiltshire