Travelers in the UK are facing significant disruptions this weekend as dense fog blankets much of the country.
Reduced visibility has already led to widespread delays and cancellations at major airports, with further problems expected in the coming days.
Visibility dropped to just 100 meters in some areas on Friday evening, forcing NATS, the UK’s air traffic control service, to implement temporary restrictions.
Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City have been severely affected, with nearly 20,000 passengers impacted, according to Digi24.
Some flights were delayed by up to three hours, while dozens were canceled altogether. Airports in Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff also reported issues.
Road Traffic Also Affected
The disruptions extended into Saturday morning, with flight boards at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester showing significant delays or cancellations.
Popular routes to destinations such as Malaga, Venice, and Barcelona were among those affected.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson stated:
"Temporary air traffic restrictions have been implemented due to reduced visibility caused by fog. Some flights may be delayed throughout the day. We apologize for the inconvenience and recommend passengers contact their airlines for updates."
NATS reiterated that safety is the primary concern, with a spokesperson explaining:
"Restrictions are always applied solely to ensure safety. Our teams are closely monitoring the situation, supported by an embedded meteorologist providing real-time updates."
While the Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning, it forecasts continued foggy conditions throughout Saturday, particularly in southeast and central England.
"Some areas will remain foggy for longer, making for a gloomy day," said Liam Eslick, a Met Office meteorologist. Clearer skies are anticipated by Sunday.
Road travel has also been affected.
The Met Office and RAC urged drivers to take precautions in low visibility conditions, such as maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and using fog lights.
Fortunately, no major road closures were reported by Saturday morning.
In addition to the fog, Scotland faces a yellow weather warning for heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, with risks of flooding and disruptions ahead of New Year’s celebrations.
Authorities have warned that the rain could cause significant issues in affected areas.
