London is under a high air pollution alert for Tuesday after dense fog and fireworks pushed particle pollution to maximum levels across multiple boroughs. The Mayor of London's office confirmed the alert, with forecasters at Imperial College London advising Sadiq Khan to issue it. The warning encourages everyone in the capital, particularly the most vulnerable, to look after themselves and do their bit.
High levels of particle pollution are forecast for Tuesday after dense fog and very light winds allowed pollution to build up over the weekend and linger into Monday morning. Smoke from Bonfire Night and Diwali fireworks and from wood burning is likely to have contributed.
Highest Pollution Levels in Multiple Boroughs
Air pollution maps from the Apple Weather app show areas in a number of London boroughs covered by the highest levels of pollution, rated 10. These include the City of Westminster, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Merton, Ealing, Brent, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Bexley. Most other boroughs are rated 8 or 6, including Croydon, Richmond upon Thames and Kensington and Chelsea.
North London appears to be the only area with somewhat clear air, with boroughs like Haringey and Enfield mainly rated 2 or 4.
Public Health Advice and Alerts
In response to the alert, people have been asked to walk, cycle and use public transport more often and drive less when possible. Residents should also refrain from burning garden waste and instead compost it or take it to a refuse centre.
This marks the fourth high air pollution alert this year, with the last one made in June during a heatwave. Deputy mayor for environment and energy Mete Coban said: "Toxic air is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in London each year, which is why the Mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, which includes launching the world's largest clean air zone."
Fog Warning and Travel Disruption
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for fog, in place until 10am tomorrow, covering parts of England and Wales. The warning covers 42 areas in East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales.
The warning reads: "Fog will redevelop across the area this evening, becoming dense at times overnight, with visibility reduced to less than 100 m. This will likely lead to some delays to transport and difficult travelling conditions. Fog will thin and clear during Tuesday morning."
The Met Office said slower journey times with delays to public transport are possible, with a chance of delays or cancellation of flights. Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Persistent high pressure has brought light winds and clear skies, allowing fog to form, while weak November sunshine has meant it is fairly slow to clear. We're expecting one more night of dense fog, with a warning in place for some areas. Increasing cloud and wind should then limit further widespread fog from developing."
Freezing fog is possible further north on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to fall low enough overnight for frost across parts of Scotland and northern England. Persistent rain is possible towards the south-west, with some also affecting the south coast and western and southern Wales during the morning. In the afternoon, cloud and rain will push north into central and southern England, Wales and the Midlands.
