The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for dense fog, alerting residents across parts of England to significant travel disruption, including potential flight cancellations. The alert came into effect in the early hours of Friday, 16 January 2026.
Warning Details and Affected Regions
The fog warning was activated at 4.04am on Friday, 16 January, and is scheduled to remain in place until 9am the same morning. Forecasters warn that patches of fog will become widespread, with visibility likely to drop below 100 metres in some locations. The misty conditions are expected to thin and lift into low cloud later in the morning.
The warning has been issued for 11 specific local authority areas. Travellers and commuters in these regions are urged to exercise caution:
- North East England: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees.
- Yorkshire & The Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York.
Expected Travel Chaos and Safety Advice
The Met Office has stated that the dense fog "may cause some disruption to travel" during the Friday morning rush. Journeys by road and rail are predicted to take longer, with bus and train services facing likely delays or cancellations. The impact extends to air travel, where reduced visibility forces air traffic controllers to increase gaps between landing aircraft, slowing airport operations and raising the risk of flight cancellations.
A spokesperson for the forecaster provided clear guidance for the public: "Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off on your journey." They further advised people to check travel timetables and company updates for buses, trains, flights, and ferries before travelling.
Precautions for Drivers and Commuters
For those who must drive, the advice is to take extra care. The Met Office recommends checking road conditions, allowing considerable extra time for journeys, and being prepared to amend plans if necessary. The core message for all travellers in the affected zones is to plan ahead, expect delays, and prioritise safety while the yellow weather warning for fog is active.
