Christmas shoppers to be blighted by ‘festive fog’ this weekend with heavy mist and European smog sweeping Britain as temperatures plunge
Mercury to drop below freezing in parts of the UK as plume of pollution makes its way towards Blighty
CHRISTMAS shoppers hoping to land last-minute bargains will have to battle through festive fog this weekend.
Temperatures are set to plunge across Britain triggering a thick blanket across large swathes of the country, according to forecasters.
But there are fears SMOG from the continent will be added to the mix as experts say a plume of soot will sweep into southern and Eastern England.
Motorists face Christmas chaos while office party revellers have been warned to wrap up warm as sub-zero conditions will bring ice and fog.
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AccuWeather forecaster Jordan Root said: “Christmas is right around the corner, and those looking to shop over the weekend across the United Kingdom may face slow travel and delays.
“A dry weekend is in store for most of the UK but motorists may have to deal with fog during the weekend.
“Locally dense fog and low cloud ceilings may reduce visibility on Saturday and Sunday morning from London to Cardiff.”
And added to this is the risk of airborne pollutants from car exhausts across the channel being dumped on Blighty.
French air-monitoring site Prev’Air shows smog made up mostly of toxic PM10 particles moving towards the UK, which could cause breathing problems.
This may pose a risk to people gathering in town and city centres where busy roads will be chock-full cars carrying families as they hit the shops.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “During periods of moderate or high pollution, people with respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, can find their conditions worsening.
“To minimise this impact, people should avoid pollution hotspots, such as busy roads, particularly during rush hour.
“Where possible avoid congested areas and carry their medication with them."
Asthma UK said people with breathing difficulties should take extra care when smog levels are high.
A spokesman said: “On cold, still, foggy days pollution can get trapped close to the ground and build up over time causing what’s known as winter smog.
But experts looking ahead to Christmas Day are still uncertain whether Britain will see snow.
Forecaster Oli Claydon said: “The weekend is looking cooler than the past few days with temperatures dropping closer to average for the time of year.
“There will be a risk of frosts overnight and fog patches into the mornings, areas with clearer skies will be cooler.
“Parts of Scotland could drop below freezing overnight with the south dropping to low single figures.
“In terms of Christmas Day we are still outside the seven-day window, so it is still uncertain.”
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