Saturday 3 October is ending with a gentle but important change in driving conditions around Esher. The Met Office hourly forecast shows cloud at 17:00, with the temperature near 19°C, a 30% chance of precipitation and sunset at 18:35. Clearer skies are expected later in the evening as temperatures fall towards 14°C by 23:00. From midnight, mist is forecast to develop into fog, with poor or very poor visibility shown through much of Sunday morning.
Reset the car before the light fades
An evening reset takes only a few minutes and is easier on a driveway or in a safe parking space than at the roadside. Remove bags, bottles and other loose items from the passenger area, then check that nothing can move under braking or block the pedals. Clear the outside of every light and wipe the inside of the windscreen with a clean cloth if it has developed a film. Road dirt and a hazy screen become much more distracting when headlights and low sun create glare.
The Highway Code says headlights must be used between sunset and sunrise, and drivers should use dipped headlights at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather. Do not wait until the road feels fully dark. If visibility is changing, switch the lights on early enough to help other road users see the vehicle. Check that automatic lighting has actually selected the right setting rather than assuming it has done so.
Plan for the temperature drop, not just the dry road
The forecast is not signalling severe weather this evening. The useful detail is the steady fall from around 19°C at 17:00 to the mid-teens later, with humidity rising. That combination can encourage condensation on cold glass. Set the ventilation and demister before moving, keep the windscreen washer reservoir topped up and make sure the wipers leave a clean sweep without smearing.
If the screen begins to mist while driving, increase the demister airflow and use air conditioning if fitted. Do not continue with only a small clear patch. Pull over in a safe place if the view does not clear quickly. A small delay is preferable to trying to manage controls while visibility is deteriorating.
Make tomorrow morning easier tonight
Sunday's Esher forecast shows mist from midnight and fog from about 02:00 into the morning, with visibility becoming poor or very poor. Before locking the car tonight, check tyre condition, fuel or battery range, washer fluid and phone charge. Put keys, glasses and any route notes where they can be found without rushing. Allow extra time in the morning and check the latest local forecast before departure because fog depth and clearance time can vary over short distances.
When driving in fog, the Highway Code says to use your lights as required, keep a safe distance and be able to stop within the distance you can see clearly. Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres, and must be switched off when visibility improves.
JUFO evening cabin pick
JUFO 2-in-1 Car Window Breaker Pro X Tool - £8.95
A compact window breaker and seatbelt cutter designed for accessible in-car storage. Keep it secured within reach of an occupant, not loose in the glovebox, boot or a bag that could move during a journey.
Use a fixed place for emergency equipment
An emergency tool is only useful if occupants know where it is and can reach it while seated. Choose a secure mounting point or a close-fitting door-pocket position, check that it cannot become a loose object and show regular passengers where it lives. Do not place it where it interferes with airbags, seat movement or controls. The same rule applies to torches, power banks and high-visibility clothing: secure storage matters as much as ownership.
This evening's best plan is simple: finish the return journey before rushing, switch on dipped lights as conditions become dull, clear the glass properly and leave the car ready for a foggier Sunday start. The forecast is calm, so the value comes from routine preparation rather than alarm. Five orderly minutes tonight can remove several avoidable distractions tomorrow morning.
Sources: Met Office London and South East England forecast; Met Office Esher hourly forecast; The Highway Code: lighting requirements; The Highway Code: driving in fog.
