Seven flights at Heathrow Airport and three at London City Airport were cancelled by 6:30am on November 9, 2026, due to dense fog enveloping London. The thick fog severely restricted visibility, disrupting airport operations during the morning.
A yellow weather warning for fog issued by the Met Office remained in effect over London and most of South East England until 11am. Fog reduced visibility to 50 metres or less, forcing cancellations and causing widespread travel difficulties.
Meteorological Causes Behind the Fog
Met Office operational meteorologist Niamh Murray described the conditions as a “perfect recipe” for fog. She explained that the long nights in autumn and
winter allow temperatures to drop significantly overnight. “We get a longer period of cooling and also the temperatures are much lower, so they’re much closer to the temperature that we need for the air to become saturated and therefore form fog,” Murray said.
Murray added that light winds and clear skies during this period contribute to the persistence of fog, especially when temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius, making fog stubborn to clear.
Travel Disruptions and Motorway Closure
Travelers at both Heathrow and London City airports experienced flight delays and cancellations during the fog-affected morning. Beyond air travel, road transport was also affected; the M20
motorway in Kent closed in both directions for nearly 12 hours following a crash involving more than 30 vehicles between junctions 8 and 9 near Maidstone. The accident resulted in two serious injuries and was attributed to the foggy conditions.
Safety Advice for Driving in Fog
Edmund King, president of the Automobile Association (AA), urged drivers to reduce speed and increase following distances in fog. He warned against relying on rear lights of cars ahead, stating it gives a false sense of security and can lead to unsafe driving distances.
King said, “Fog can transform a familiar road in a matter of minutes, so drivers need
to be prepared to adapt their speed and leave more room between themselves and the vehicle ahead.” He emphasized that there is “no prize for arriving a few minutes early” and advised motorists to give themselves extra time and drive according to visible conditions.
