By Fatma Younis
Thick fog formed across parts of the United Kingdom on Friday morning, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow severe weather warning for hazardous driving conditions.
Fog Warning Details
The warning covers areas from Lincolnshire and the East Midlands through the Home Counties into parts of Greater London. Visibility may drop below 100 metres in places, with the most extensive and disruptive fog occurring during the morning rush hour. Conditions are expected to improve later in the morning, though some rural areas in eastern England may not clear until the afternoon.
Weekend Forecast
Saturday will see early mist and fog patches that may lift into low cloud, with some areas experiencing sunny spells. North-west Scotland will see thicker cloud and rain from a weak weather front. Temperatures will remain close to average. Sunday will be largely dry with variable cloud and occasional sunshine, though a dying front may bring light rain or drizzle to Wales and central England.
High Pressure Dominates
High pressure is building over the UK and is set to dominate for at least ten days due to a diffluent blocking pattern in the Atlantic jet stream. This will bring a prolonged period of mostly dry weather, contrasting with last week's stormy conditions. While 82% of England remains in drought status, rainfall amounts will be negligible in the coming days.
Drought Concerns Persist
The lack of rain raises concerns about low reservoir levels. Following a National Drought Group meeting, water companies are urged to accelerate leak repairs, and the public is advised to conserve water. Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said sustained rainfall is needed for recovery, noting that 20% more rain than average is required over the next six months to end the drought.
Storm Chloe Delayed
With high pressure blocking Atlantic systems, the next named storm, Chloe, is not expected soon. The Met Office's three-month outlook indicates double the chance of a wetter-than-normal period, potentially influenced by El Niño, but any significant rainfall remains distant.
