London has been placed under a high air pollution alert due to dense fog and light winds that have caused pollutants to accumulate across the capital. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan issued the warning on Monday evening, urging "those most vulnerable" to be wary and advising drivers to switch off their engines when stationary. Homeowners have also been cautioned against burning garden waste, which can exacerbate pollution levels.
The Met Office issued a yellow fog alert for much of England and Wales, with visibility expected to drop below 100 meters in some areas. The current weather conditions, characterized by light winds, clear skies, and long nights typical of autumn and winter, create an ideal environment for fog formation, according to Niamh Murray, an operational meteorologist at the Met Office. The accumulation of smoke from recent Bonfire Night and Diwali fireworks celebrations is also believed to have contributed to the poor air quality.
The foggy conditions have already caused disruptions, including flight cancellations at Heathrow and London City airports on Monday morning. Heathrow Airport advised travelers to allow extra time for journeys due to reduced visibility on local roads and recommended checking with airlines before departing.
The AA has urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, recommending reduced speeds, increased following distances, and the use of dipped headlights. Motorists are also reminded to switch off fog lights once visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers. AA President Edmund King emphasized the importance of adapting to changing road conditions and avoiding the false sense of security that can come from following other vehicles too closely.