Met Office Issues Yellow Warnings for Freezing Fog Across 42 UK Areas on Monday

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for 42 UK regions set to experience a rare weather event on Monday morning: freezing fog. This hazardous phenomenon is forecast across parts of Northern Ireland, southwest England, and Wales, posing risks during the early hours of Monday.

With recent rain leaving surfaces wet and temperatures dropping to or below freezing overnight, untreated roads and pavements may develop icy patches. The Met Office warns that these conditions will likely persist into Monday’s morning commute, especially in western areas where cold temperatures will remain.

An increase in cloud cover from the east later Sunday night may help temperatures rise slightly, but the icy risk will continue. Additionally, patches of freezing fog could reduce visibility, creating further hazards for drivers and pedestrians alike.

These yellow warnings take effect from 9pm on Sunday, February 1, and remain in place until 9am on Monday, February 2.

This freezing fog event precedes an anticipated ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorm expected to sweep across the UK in the coming days. According to the GFS weather model, snow showers will begin moving east to west on February 5, initially impacting the southeast and East Anglia, with London possibly seeing snow by early evening. By late night, widespread snow is expected across eastern, central, and southern England, with flurries also reaching northern Scotland and Wales by the morning of February 6.

The 42 affected areas under the freezing fog warning include: