Widespread dense fog has brought significant disruptions to travel across multiple regions, prompting travel advisories and causing considerable inconvenience for travelers this weekend. According to the Met Office, areas of thick fog are severely impacting visibility at some of the UK's busiest airports, with reduced visibility reported at just 100 meters. This has led to temporary air traffic restrictions, which are expected to continue until Sunday.
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) indicated these measures are necessary for safety, as fog has made travel particularly difficult. Travelers have been urged to stay updated with airline information, especially as Sunday is anticipated to be one of Gatwick's busiest days of the holiday period, with over 700 flights scheduled. Affected passengers, like Kiera Quayle, who found themselves stranded after their EasyJet flight was delayed and later canceled due to the fog, highlighted the challenges of finding new travel arrangements with limited options.
Senior forecaster Craig Snell from the Met Office noted, "Conditions should start to improve Saturday night as some breeze is expected to disperse fog. Though, thanks to extensive cloud cover, frost is not anticipated."
Meanwhile, additional weather advisories have been issued across the U.S., particularly affecting regions such as central and northeast Kansas and Missouri with the National Weather Service (NWS) placing dense fog advisories until Sunday morning. Reporting near-zero visibility in some areas, they stressed caution, advising drivers to slow down and use low-beam headlights to navigate the hazardous conditions.
Such severe fog conditions are not limited to the U.S. as pockets of dense fog set within the Lehigh Valley earlier also brought visibility to below one mile. The advisory remains effective until Sunday morning, with meteorologists predicting the rains and showers to taper off allowing for improved conditions post-noon.
Some areas, like Ottumwa, Iowa, have also experienced weather pattern shifts, where increased overnight fog has prompted advisories throughout their viewing area. Local forecasts indicate conditions will improve by Sunday afternoon, ushering in cooler temperatures.
With upcoming celebrations such as Edinburgh's Hogmanay, organizers are preparing for potential disruptions as Scotland braces for heavy rains, with forecasts warning of as much as 140mm of rain expected. Event attendees are advised to check travel arrangements closely to accommodate any weather-induced changes.
Overall, the complex interplay of weather this weekend spans across multiple states and regions, forcing every traveler to remain vigilant and prepared for alterations to their travel plans, as forecasters warn of similar weather patterns continuing through the New Year.
