Thursday 1 October begins with a useful reminder that a calm-looking morning can still change quickly. The latest Met Office forecast for London and south-east England says most places will be dry with warm sunny spells, although an isolated light shower is possible during the morning. The preceding overnight forecast also noted the chance of mist or patches forming around dawn. For drivers, that can mean damp glass and localised mist first, followed by much brighter light as the sun breaks through.
Clear the view before moving
Do not start with only a narrow wiped area on the windscreen. Clear condensation and dew from every window, both mirrors and the lights, then allow the demister to work before joining the road. A clean inside surface matters too: a thin film can scatter early sunlight and turn a clear route into a bright haze. Check washer fluid and wiper condition while the car is stationary, not after visibility has already become difficult.
Keep a clean microfibre cloth for the glass, but store it securely when you set off. Loose objects on the dashboard can move under braking and can also create reflections. Position navigation, ventilation and music before leaving so your attention stays on the changing view outside.
Treat every mist patch as local
The Highway Code says to check mirrors and slow down before entering fog. It also warns that a clear stretch does not rule out a bank of fog ahead. If visibility is seriously reduced, generally to less than 100 metres, headlights are required. Fog lights may be used in that situation, but they must be switched off when visibility improves because they can dazzle other road users and obscure brake lights.
Use a following gap that lets you stop within the distance you can see clearly. Avoid following the rear lights ahead as if they mark a safe speed; they can give a false sense of security. Keep wipers and demisters working, check mirrors before slowing and make smooth changes rather than sudden braking. Extra time is especially valuable near junctions, crossings, cyclists and school-run traffic.
Expect glare as the morning brightens
When mist thins, the low sun can appear suddenly through gaps in trees, buildings or cloud. The Highway Code advises slowing down and, if necessary, stopping when dazzled by bright sunlight. Increase the gap ahead, lower the sun visor without blocking your view and avoid overtaking when you cannot read the road beyond the glare. A damp surface can reflect sunlight even when the air is already clear.
Do not assume that sunglasses solve every visibility problem. They can help in bright conditions, but they do not replace a clean windscreen, a suitable speed or a clear stopping distance. Remove anything that restricts your view when the route turns shaded or visibility falls.
Keep a simple roadside plan ready
A short preparation check makes an unexpected stop easier to manage. Keep a charged phone, breakdown-cover details, a torch and a plain high-visibility vest where they can be reached without unloading the boot. Secure the kit so it cannot slide during normal driving. Check the live route before departure and allow enough time to pause safely if a mist patch or sudden glare makes the view unreliable.
JUFO morning roadside-prep pick
JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit — £17.95
A compact way to keep practical emergency items together for a misty or unexpectedly delayed morning journey. Store it securely in the boot, read the supplied instructions before travel and include it in your regular vehicle checks.
Use a five-point start check
Clear every window, confirm the lights, test the wipers, secure the roadside kit and check the live route. Then drive to the view you actually have, not the speed you expected to use. A mostly fine Thursday is good news, but the safer morning habit is to be ready for the short transition from damp and misty to bright and sunny.
Sources: Met Office London and South East England forecast; Met Office Esher forecast; The Highway Code: adverse weather rules 226 to 237; The Highway Code: general driving and lighting rules.
