The Met Office update at 03:33 on Tuesday 13 October says London and South East England face a cloudy, rather windy start, with a blustery band of rain moving east through the morning. Some rain may be locally heavy before the band clears Kent by early afternoon. That creates a commute in which conditions can change quickly from dull and damp to heavier rain, spray and gusts.
The safest response is not alarm; it is a short check before departure, more space on the road and a willingness to delay a non-essential journey if local conditions become difficult.
Check the route before the car
Look at the latest forecast, traffic information and any flood warnings for the whole route, not only the weather outside your door. Allow extra time so you are not tempted to rush when visibility drops. If a road is closed or water is covering the carriageway, use a safe alternative and never assume you know the depth.
National Highways recommends a simple autumn T.R.I.P. approach: check tyres, rest before travel, inspect the vehicle and prepare for the weather. Today, preparation also means knowing where the rainband is likely to be when you reach faster roads.
Make visibility the first vehicle check
Clean the outside and inside of the windscreen, make sure the wipers clear water without smearing, and top up screenwash with a suitable product. Check dipped headlights, indicators and brake lights, then clean mirrors, camera lenses and number plates. Use the demister before the cabin glass clouds over rather than trying to solve the problem while moving.
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 are only for seriously reduced visibility and must be switched off once conditions improve because they can dazzle other road users and obscure brake lights.
Tyres and smooth inputs matter in rain
Inspect each tyre for damage and use the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer. The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6 mm, but tread and tyre condition both matter when water must be dispersed. A cut, bulge, embedded object or repeated pressure loss needs professional attention.
In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required on dry roads. Increase the gap, reduce speed before bends or junctions and avoid sharp steering, acceleration or braking. If the steering feels unusually light or unresponsive, ease off the accelerator and slow gradually. Do not brake hard.
Expect wind and spray to affect others
Crosswinds can be stronger on exposed roads, bridges and at gaps in hedges. Turbulence around large vehicles can unsettle cars and is especially difficult for cyclists and motorcyclists. Keep both hands ready on the wheel, avoid lingering beside high-sided vehicles and give vulnerable road users extra room. Spray can briefly remove your view, so do not follow closely.
Pack for a delay, not for roadside repairs
Keep a reflective vest, torch, warm or waterproof layer, charging cable, water and breakdown-provider details where they can be reached safely. Secure loose items so they cannot move around the cabin. These basics support comfort and communication while professional help is arranged; they do not make a live carriageway a safe place to work on a vehicle.
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JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit - £17.95
This compact kit combines a high-visibility vest, warning triangle and emergency window-breaker/seatbelt-cutter tool. Store it securely, learn what is included before you need it, and keep breakdown contact details separately accessible.
Reassess as the weather changes
The forecast suggests brighter spells after the rain clears, so a clean windscreen remains useful when low autumn sun follows wet roads. Keep checking the road surface, signs and traffic ahead rather than driving to a fixed plan. If conditions become worse than expected, stop somewhere safe or postpone the journey.
Sources: Met Office: London and South East England forecast; The Highway Code: adverse weather; National Highways: autumn T.R.I.P. checks; Met Office: travelling in rain and strong wind.
