Tuesday 6 October needs two different kinds of preparation. The Met Office forecast for Esher says fog will change to sunny intervals by late morning, with a daytime maximum near 21°C. Wednesday then turns cooler, with heavy rain expected before conditions clear at night. Instead of treating each journey as a separate surprise, use today’s quieter, brighter hours to reset the car for both limited visibility now and wetter roads next.
Do not move until the view is genuinely clear
Start with the whole vehicle, not a small patch of windscreen. Clear condensation from the windscreen, side windows and mirrors, and check that the lights and number plates are clean. Run the demister and air conditioning where fitted, remove exterior moisture, and wait until the glass stays clear. Fog can thin on one street and return near open ground or low-lying roads, so the driveway view is only the first check.
The Highway Code says headlights must be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres. Fog lights may be used in that situation, but they must be switched off when visibility improves. Keep enough space to stop within the distance you can see to be clear, and never use another vehicle’s rear lights as a substitute for judging the road yourself.
Let the brighter hours expose small problems
When the mist lifts, use daylight to inspect what an early start can hide. Check that the wipers sweep cleanly without leaving broad smears, top up screen wash if needed and look across the tyre tread and sidewalls for obvious damage. Confirm the headlights, brake lights and indicators work. GOV.UK notes that a current MOT does not remove the driver’s responsibility to keep the vehicle roadworthy.
Low autumn sun can replace fog with glare. Clean glass matters twice: first for the mist, then for the brighter return journey. Keep suitable sunglasses where they can be reached while parked, set the sun visor before moving and slow down if glare removes detail from the road ahead. A forecast for sunny intervals is not permission to relax the visibility check.
Prepare today for Wednesday’s rain
Rain reduces tyre grip and increases stopping distance. The Highway Code says stopping distances are at least double on wet roads, so tomorrow’s useful preparation begins with today’s checks. Make sure the tyres look sound and correctly inflated, the washer reservoir is ready, and the fuel or charge level allows for a slower or diverted journey. Check the route and forecast again before departure rather than relying on today’s outlook.
Secure loose items in the cabin and boot. A bottle or tool rolling under a seat can become a distraction when braking. Store a high-visibility vest where it can be reached without emptying the boot, and keep any warning triangle in a protected, known position. On motorways, never place a warning triangle; follow current breakdown guidance and move to a place of relative safety when it is possible and safe to do so.
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Use a simple two-day sequence
This morning: clear all glass, judge the real visibility and use the correct lights. This afternoon: check wipers, washer fluid, tyres, lights and roadside equipment in full daylight. Before Wednesday’s journey: recheck the live forecast, allow more time, increase the following gap and avoid sudden steering or braking on wet roads. If conditions feel beyond your experience or the vehicle is not ready, delay the trip or choose a safer alternative.
A changing forecast is easier to manage when preparation happens before the weather arrives. Tuesday’s fog provides the first reminder; the brighter middle of the day provides the opportunity; Wednesday’s rain is the reason to finish the reset now.
Sources: Met Office Esher forecast; Met Office London and South East England forecast; The Highway Code: driving in adverse weather; GOV.UK: check your vehicle is safe to drive.
