Passengers flying through the United Kingdom face mounting delays this week as a dense weather system disrupts regional aviation networks.
The autumn fog triggered flight diversions and ground delays on Monday morning, prompting the Met Office to issue overnight travel warnings for transit passengers and motorists.
The disruption hit Bristol Airport and London Heathrow the hardest, where visibility dropped to just 50 meters, forcing incoming aircraft to divert to alternative runways or return to their points of origin.
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With a new meteorological warning extending into Tuesday for parts of England and Wales, authorities are cautioning travelers to verify their flight status before heading to the departure gates.
Nov. 9 Fog Triggers 3 Diversions and 14% Bristol Airport Delays
Bristol Airport experienced cancellations, delays and diverted arrivals on Monday, November 9, after thick fog affected flying conditions in the West of England.
A spokesperson for the airport told the BBC: “Flights first thing this morning, when the majority depart Bristol Airport, were not affected by fog.”
Conditions deteriorated later in the morning, resulting in three diverted flights and one aircraft returning to Dublin without completing its journey to Bristol. Live flight information showed that approximately 14% of flights were delayed at the time of the BBC’s report.
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The airport is located at Lulsgate Bottom, southwest of Bristol, on an elevated site at 622 feet (190 meters) above sea level. Its position near the Mendip Hills can make it vulnerable to hill fog, which forms when moist air moves over higher ground and visibility drops.
The BBC reported that the Met Office’s initial yellow fog warning remained in force until 11 a.m. GMT on Monday. The warning advised passengers to prepare for difficult travel conditions and possible flight disruptions, with forecasters expecting visibility to gradually improve later in the morning.
Anna Barclay / Getty Images
50-Meter Visibility Disrupts Heathrow Airport and Ground Transit
Bristol was not the only airport dealing with fog-related travel problems.
Heathrow also reported flight disruption on Monday morning as visibility deteriorated around the airport.
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A Heathrow spokesperson advised passengers to allow additional time for their journey to the airport, check with their airlines before leaving home and drive carefully.
The weather system also affected ground transportation.
The Met Office warned that visibility could fall to 50 meters or less in some locations, creating difficult conditions for motorists and potentially delaying buses and trains.
Met Office operational meteorologist Niamh Murray explained that clear skies, light winds and longer autumn nights had created favorable conditions for fog to develop. She described the combination as the “perfect recipe” for the weather conditions.
New Yellow Fog Warning Targets Midlands Through 10 a.m. Nov. 10
Although the initial warning expired Monday morning, the Met Office issued another yellow fog warning covering parts of England and Wales from 6 p.m. Monday, November 9, until 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 10.
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The warning includes Gloucestershire, parts of the Midlands, East Anglia and eastern Wales. The Met Office expects fog to become dense overnight, with visibility potentially dropping below 100 meters in affected areas before gradually improving Tuesday morning.
The warning also identifies possible delays to flights, rail services and buses. Bristol and North Somerset are not listed among the affected local authorities in this second warning, although weather conditions can vary locally.
Passengers traveling through Bristol or Heathrow should check their flight status before leaving home. Bristol Airport publishes updates through its official arrivals and departures pages, while Heathrow passengers can check the airport’s flight information.
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
