The Met Office has issued a significant yellow weather warning for dense fog across several regions, following a day of persistent and heavy rainfall that drenched much of the country.
Widespread Fog Threatens Travel Disruption
The yellow fog warning is active from 8pm on Thursday, 15 January 2026, until 7am on Friday morning. It covers north-west England, Wales, and the West Midlands. Forecasters warn that patches of fog are expected to become more widespread and dense during Thursday evening, with visibility potentially dropping below 100 metres in some areas. The fog is predicted to thin and lift into low cloud late overnight or early on Friday.
The national weather service has urged the public to prepare for possible delays. Key advice includes checking road conditions before driving, allowing extra time for journeys, and being ready to amend travel plans. "Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off," the Met Office stated. Bus, train, flight, and ferry services could all be affected.
Heavy Rain Precedes Foggy Conditions
This foggy outlook comes on the heels of a notably wet day across the UK. Outbreaks of rain spread from the East Midlands southwards, turning persistent and heavy at times before clearing to the North East overnight. Many areas saw 20 to 30mm of rainfall, with some experiencing this volume in just a few hours. Isolated spots in southern England recorded even higher totals of 40 to 50mm.
The downpours prompted the Environment Agency to issue five specific flood warnings for the River Severn, the River Ouse, and Kidbrooke Stream, where flooding was expected. Additionally, a further 117 flood alerts remain in force across the country, indicating that flooding is still possible in many locations.
A Volatile Start to the Year
This bout of wet and foggy weather continues a pattern of volatile conditions in early 2026. The year began with freezing temperatures and a series of warnings for snow, ice, rain, and wind. Last week, the French-named Storm Goretti triggered a rare red wind warning for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Parts of Scotland were also heavily impacted, with snowfall so significant it led to school closures for a week.
While temperatures have now returned to average for January, low pressure systems remain in control of the UK's weather. The Met Office's five-day forecast suggests a changeable pattern ahead, with a mix of sunshine and showers, and further risks of overnight frost and fog patches into the weekend.
