The Met Office has issued an immediate 11-hour yellow weather warning for dense fog, impacting 18 specific areas across England and Wales. The alert is in effect from 8pm on Thursday, 15 January 2026, until 7am on Friday morning.
Areas Under the Fog Warning
The warning covers a significant swathe of the country. Residents and travellers in the following regions should prepare for potentially hazardous conditions:
- Northwest England: Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Greater Manchester; Halton; Lancashire; Merseyside; Warrington.
- Wales: Denbighshire; Flintshire; Powys; Wrexham.
- West Midlands: Herefordshire; Shropshire; Staffordshire; Stoke-on-Trent; Telford and Wrekin.
Forecast Details and Expected Impact
According to the national forecaster, patches of fog are expected to become more widespread and dense throughout Thursday evening. In some locations, visibility could plummet to less than 100 metres, creating difficult and dangerous conditions for road users.
The Met Office stated that the fog will thin and lift into low cloud late overnight or in the early hours of Friday morning. This warning follows a separate yellow alert for rain that was active from 9am until 10pm on Thursday.
Advice for the Public
Such severe weather warnings for fog significantly increase the risk of travel disruption. Drivers are urged to use fog lights, reduce speed, and maintain a greater distance from the vehicle ahead. Flight schedules at regional airports may also be affected.
This alert serves as a critical reminder for the public to check the latest UK weather forecast and travel updates before embarking on journeys tonight and during the Friday morning commute.
