A blanket of thick fog caused widespread disruption across Greater Manchester on Saturday evening, with 15 flights diverted from Manchester Airport, major firework displays obscured, and BBC coverage of Altrincham FC's FA Cup match reduced to a farce. The southern parts of the region, including Stockport, Trafford and south Manchester, were among the worst affected.
Flights diverted and firework displays obscured
At Manchester Airport, 15 flights were unable to land and were diverted to other UK airports. Aviation websites also reported other flights being forced to perform 'go-arounds' as arrivals were regulated. An airport spokesman said the fog appeared to have largely lifted this morning (November 8), but there was a possibility of a small amount of knock-on disruption. Flights taking off were largely unaffected, and those flying today are advised to attend the airport as normal.
The conditions meant a number of major fireworks displays were heavily obscured behind the fog. Attendees at displays in Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield and at Stockport Cricket Club in Cale Green reported being barely able to see the fireworks through the haze. In Stockport, a number of disappointed punters were seen leaving midway through the display.
FA Cup clash becomes a farce
BBC coverage of Altrincham FC's FA Cup first-round clash with Notts County at the J.Davidson Stadium, commonly known as Moss Lane, became farcical, with viewers at times towards the end of the game, which kicked off at 5:30pm, virtually unable to make out the players. There were calls for the match to be abandoned, with fans taking to social media to say that visibility was 'down to a few yards.' A mass of fans illuminated their phone torches in a desperate bid to see the action, with one supporter saying it 'resembled an Elton John concert.'
BBC match commentator Steve Bower told viewers during extra time, with the match tied at 2-2, that he 'couldn't really decipher at all' what was happening on the far side of the pitch. "One of the more challenging of my long career, that's about 35 years now," Bower later wrote of the experience on the BBC Sport website.
Match result and new weather warning
The Robins, of the National League, narrowly missed out on a famous scalp, losing 3-2 on penalties to the League One side in a shootout which was referred to by some fans as 'like a spot the ball competition.' BBC presenter Jason Mohammad said afterwards: "Bear with us at the end of the game. We've not seen much of extra time where we are. We don't have the foggiest what's going on. Fair play - cracking game and atmosphere."
A yellow fog warning was in place from midnight until 10am this morning. A second warning is to come into force at 6pm this evening until 11am tomorrow (Monday). The Met Office says: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, leaving extra journey time, or amending plans if necessary. Bus and train services, as well as flights and ferry travel may also be affected; check for updates from your travel company and follow their advice."
