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Thick Fog Disrupts Some Flights on One of the UK’s Busiest Weekends for Travel

Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
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Thick Fog Disrupts Some Flights on One of the UK’s Busiest Weekends for Travel

Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)

Travelers flying to or from the UK faced further disruptions Saturday as thick fog and low visibility restricted air traffic on one of the year's busiest weekends.

Gatwick Airport in London warned that some flights may be delayed throughout Saturday and apologized for the inconvenience. Flights were delayed by up to three hours late Friday because of poor weather conditions, and at least 40 flights from the airport, mostly short haul to Europe, were delayed Saturday morning.

Heathrow Airport, one of Europe's busiest, also advised passengers to check with their airlines regarding potential delays.

The UK's weather forecasters, the Met Office, said thick fog patches could reduce visibility to just 100 meters (328 feet) in some areas across the country. It said travelers should allow “a little bit longer” for journeys and warned drivers to be extra careful.

Conditions are expected to improve Sunday, the Met Office said.

The country's main air traffic control organization said the restrictions would remain in place in areas with low visibility.

“Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety," it said. “Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimize disruption.”

The restrictions came at a busy time of year when many people travel following the Christmas holiday and ahead of the New Year.

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Varieties

How to Catch the Quadrantids, the First Meteor Shower of 2025

This 1825 etching provided by the Library of Congress shows an astronomical chart depicting Bootes the Ploughman holding a spear, a sickle, and two dogs, Asterion and Chara, on leashes, a quadrant, and the hair of Berenice forming the constellations. (Sidney Hall/Library of Congress via AP)
This 1825 etching provided by the Library of Congress shows an astronomical chart depicting Bootes the Ploughman holding a spear, a sickle, and two dogs, Asterion and Chara, on leashes, a quadrant, and the hair of Berenice forming the constellations. (Sidney Hall/Library of Congress via AP)
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How to Catch the Quadrantids, the First Meteor Shower of 2025

This 1825 etching provided by the Library of Congress shows an astronomical chart depicting Bootes the Ploughman holding a spear, a sickle, and two dogs, Asterion and Chara, on leashes, a quadrant, and the hair of Berenice forming the constellations. (Sidney Hall/Library of Congress via AP)
This 1825 etching provided by the Library of Congress shows an astronomical chart depicting Bootes the Ploughman holding a spear, a sickle, and two dogs, Asterion and Chara, on leashes, a quadrant, and the hair of Berenice forming the constellations. (Sidney Hall/Library of Congress via AP)

When the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Friday, it will be the year's first chance to see fireballs in the sky.

A waning crescent moon means good visibility under clear and dark conditions.

Most meteor showers are named for the constellations where they appear to originate from in the night sky. But the Quadrantids “take their name from a constellation that doesn’t exist anymore,” said NASA's William Cooke.

These meteors usually don't have long trains, but the heads may appear as bright fireballs. The peak may reveal as many as 120 meteors per hour, according to NASA.

Viewing lasts until Jan. 16. Here's what to know about the Quadrantids and other meteor showers, according to The AP.
What is a meteor shower? As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets — and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Quadrantids is debris from the asteroid 2003 EH1.

When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up.

Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a "shooting star."

You don’t need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights.

How to view a meteor shower

The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours, when the moon is low in the sky.

Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities.

And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren’t checking your phone.

The Quadrantids will peak on a night with a slim crescent moon, just 11% full.

When is the next meteor shower? The next meteor shower, the Lyrids, will peak in mid-April.