The Met Office has triggered a series of yellow weather warnings across the United Kingdom, with dense fog and heavy rain set to cause significant travel disruption and heighten the risk of flooding this week.
Immediate Warnings for Fog and Rain
On Wednesday, 17th December 2025, the national forecaster issued alerts for dense fog covering London, South East England and the East Midlands. This warning remains active until 10am, with authorities warning of potentially difficult driving conditions and possible flight cancellations.
Simultaneously, a separate yellow warning for heavy rain has been activated for South West England and South Wales. This alert is in force from 10am until midnight on Wednesday. The Met Office predicts widespread rainfall of 10-20mm, with as much as 60mm possible over high ground.
Further Unsettled Conditions Ahead
The disruptive weather pattern is set to continue into Thursday. Further yellow warnings for rain are forecast across South West England, South Wales, and southern counties of England. Another 15-25mm of rain is expected widely, with up to 60mm over the Downs. These downpours will be accompanied by strong winds, exacerbating the challenging conditions.
Meteorologists attribute this spell of poor weather to a succession of low-pressure systems moving across the country. The public is urged to stay vigilant, check travel updates regularly, and avoid driving through floodwater.
Outlook for Christmas Week
Looking further ahead to the festive period, the forecast remains mixed. Another area of low pressure could bring more unsettled conditions over the weekend preceding Christmas. However, there is a signal for drier and milder weather to develop closer to Christmas Day itself, though this may bring some overnight frost and mist.
In London, the charity St Mungo's has issued an orange cold weather warning for homeless people, highlighting the increased risks posed by the chilly and damp conditions.
With multiple warnings in effect, travellers across the UK are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys, and monitor the latest advice from the Met Office and local transport authorities.
