The Met Office has issued an urgent yellow weather warning for large parts of England, cautioning that dangerous travel conditions are expected due to dense fog. The alert came into effect immediately and covers Wednesday morning, 17th December 2025.
Immediate Warning for Dense Fog Patches
The meteorological service predicts that fog patches will form across central and southeastern regions of England on Thursday morning. While some areas may be spared, the Met Office warned that where fog does develop, it could become "dense in places" with visibility dropping below 100 metres. This significantly increases the risk for drivers and travellers.
The fog is forecast to clear slowly from the west after dawn. However, conditions may persist until mid-morning, particularly in the eastern sections of the warning zone. The public is urged to exercise caution during the morning commute.
Regions Affected and Major Travel Hubs at Risk
The extensive weather warning encompasses a wide swathe of England, impacting numerous local authorities. The affected regions are:
- East Midlands: Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland.
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, and Thurrock.
- London and South East England: Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham.
- South West England: Wiltshire.
Critically, the fog is expected to impact areas surrounding major airports, including London Luton, Heathrow, and Stansted. This raises the strong possibility of flight delays and cancellations. Passengers are advised to monitor their flight's arrival and departure times closely.
Official Advice for Travellers and Further Outlook
A Met Office spokesperson provided clear guidance for the public: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, leaving extra journey time, or amending plans if necessary."
The spokesperson also emphasised practical steps for motorists: "Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off on your journey." The warning extends beyond road travel, with bus and train services, as well as ferry travel, also likely to be affected. The public is encouraged to check for updates from their travel operator.
Looking at the broader national picture for Wednesday, England will see a foggy and frosty start in the southeast. Meanwhile, rain will arrive from the northwest, potentially heavy and accompanied by coastal gales. Milder air will move into the west, while the east remains chilly.
This evening, the rain will push southeastwards, followed by clear spells and blustery showers, which could be thundery in the northwest. Patchy frost is possible across Scotland, with milder conditions where cloud cover remains.
