UK flights cancelled after weather turns grey with fog warnings in place

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It was a freezing night for many of us across the country last night and temperatures in some parts plunged to -9°C.

The coldest temperatures of -9°C were recorded in Scotland while patchy fog has created difficult driving conditions in some areas, with the potential for delays to bus and train services and flight cancellations.

But in some better news over the next few days drier and sunnier conditions are expected.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst confirmed the weather is returning to a ‘typical end of November’.

It is a very foggy start out there today so National Highways has issued some important advice for people travelling in the foggy conditions.

When drivers are on the roads today they are advised to do the following:

• Use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters. Avoid using full beam, as the fog reflects the light back, reducing visibility even further.
• According to the Highway Code, you should use your headlights when visibility is below 100 metres (328 feet).
• Use fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced and below 100 metres (328 feet).
• Beware of other drivers not using headlights.
• If you really can’t see, consider stopping until it’s safe to continue.
• Create a bigger gap between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see clearly.
• Check your mirrors before you slow down, brake slowly.

Large parts of the UK have woken up to fog and chilly temperatures today.

Here is what the temperatures look like at about 10am today.

After a stormy week, the Met Office has predicted weather will return back to what we’d normally expect at this time of year.

Met Office’s meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said the weather is now returning to ‘typical end of November’ – meaning some areas might even see a glimpse of the sun.

He said: ‘Conall pulled away early lunchtime (on Wednesday), and is now rapidly deepening – there’s quite an intense storm as it pushes into the Netherlands.

‘That’s all clearing now UK-wise, and allowing high pressure to build in from the north at the moment, so it’s getting drier, quite clear as well.’

Over the coming days, the eastern regions will see a brighter and drier sky while it will be cloudier in the west.

Today’s temperatures will be generally bright and cold – around 9C to 10C in western parts of the country and slightly lower at 6C to 7C in the east.

What about the weekend?

The weather is expected to be slightly breezier over the weekend and spells of rain will be mostly contained in the northern and western parts of the UK. However, some showery rain might reach southeastern areas by Sunday.

Dewhurst added: ‘Overall, it looks this weather pattern will continue with weather fronts coming in from the Atlantic, but largely affecting the north and the west – occasional spells of rain in the south-east, but temperatures near average really.’

Several flights have been axed at the Belfast City George Best Airport in Northern Ireland.

Here are the latest departures listed as cancelled according to Flightradar24.

• British Airways to London Heathrow at 6.35am
• Aer Lingus to Southampton at 6.40am
• British Airways to London City at 6.45am
• Aer Lingus to Birmingham at 6.50am
• Aer Lingus to Leeds at 6.50am
• Aer Lingus to Edinburgh at 6.55am
• Aer Lingus to Exeter at 7am

The warnings are in place in England until 11am and in Northern Ireland until 8am today.

The Met Office said: ‘Patches of fog will continue to form with the visibility in some places falling below 100 metres. With temperatures also below freezing, icy patches will be an additional hazard on untreated surfaces.

‘Fog will thin and clear from most places later in the morning.’

How to travel safely in foggy conditions

If you’re heading on the roads this morning, make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights first and check they are working.

Some bus and ferry journeys could also be affected so it is worth checking with your operator.

Follow our live travel updates here for more.