UK Fog Halts Morning Commute, Drought Worsens

Dense fog is causing hazardous driving conditions across the United Kingdom, with the Met Office issuing a severe weather warning for Friday morning.

Visibility has dropped below 100 metres in places, particularly affecting the morning commute. While the fog is expected to lift later in the day, some rural areas in eastern England may experience lingering mist until the afternoon.

Looking ahead to the weekend, early morning mist and fog patches could develop into persistent low cloud in some regions. While many areas will remain dry with spells of sunshine, north-west Scotland is expected to see cloudier conditions and rain.

High pressure is set to dominate the weather across the UK for at least the next ten days, bringing a prolonged period of mostly dry conditions. This is a stark contrast to the stormy weather experienced last week.

Despite recent rainfall offering some short-term hydrological benefits, 82% of England remains in drought status. The Environment Agency indicates that 20% more rain than average is needed over the next six months to end the drought. Water companies have been advised to accelerate leak repairs, and the public is encouraged to reduce water consumption.

Forecasters note that while the current outlook suggests a doubled chance of wetter-than-normal conditions due to El Niño, sustained rainfall is crucial for rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater to recover from the ongoing drought.