Bengaluru Fog Disrupts Traffic and Airport Travel: Commuters Advised to Take Precautions

Bengaluru woke up to a foggy, nippy start on Sunday, 18 January, with a shallow layer of mist hanging over several neighbourhoods and parts of the airport corridor. Early commuters reported reduced visibility on arterial stretches, while many residents stepped out to noticeably cooler air, with “feels-like” temperatures staying below 20°C around sunrise in pockets of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated late on Saturday that mist or shallow fog was likely around daybreak over Bengaluru and other parts of south interior Karnataka. Forecasters linked the conditions to clear night skies, light winds and moisture near the surface, which together encouraged overnight cooling. These ingredients often combine in January to produce brief but dense patches of morning fog across the city’s outskirts.

Bengaluru fog, visibility and early-morning traffic impact

In the early hours today, traffic police reported slower vehicle movement on some sections of Outer Ring Road, Airport Road and parts of Mysuru Road, as drivers eased speed due to reduced visibility. Motorists described hazy stretches where tail-lights appeared blurred at a short distance, especially before sunrise. However, no major pile-ups were reported in the city, with authorities calling the situation manageable but caution-worthy.

Along the Kempegowda International Airport corridor, airport-bound travellers faced patchy fog in sections closer to Devanahalli. Transport operators advised passengers to leave home earlier than usual, particularly for flights scheduled between 5 am and 8 am. While there were no widespread reports of long delays, low-level fog can force aircraft to operate under stricter safety margins, increasing the risk of cascading schedule disruptions.

Based on IMD’s early-morning assessment for Bengaluru on 18 January, minimum air temperatures stayed in the lower range for the season, while the “feels-like” value dipped below 20°C in several open and low-lying locations. Residents in northern and eastern suburbs reported an extra chill, with many relying on light sweaters for early walks, school runs and office commutes. The combination of fog and nip gave the city a brief wintry feel.

Parameter	Early Morning Trend (18 Jan)
Observed condition	Mist / shallow fog around sunrise
Feels-like temperature	Below 20°C in several areas
Primary impact window	Pre-dawn to shortly after sunrise

IMD outlook and how long Bengaluru fog may last

Forecasters expect the fog and mist to ease through the morning as sunlight strengthens and surface temperatures rise. Typically, such radiation fog over Bengaluru begins thinning within a couple of hours after sunrise, with visibility improving first on main roads and open stretches. By late morning, most affected corridors are likely to experience bright and clear conditions, reducing direct travel-related concerns.

However, IMD has signalled that similar early-morning conditions may repeat during the next few days if clear nights and light winds persist over the region. For residents, this means a recurring pattern of mild chill and brief fog episodes around sunrise, followed by warm afternoons. Weather experts emphasise that such swings are common in January, though dense pockets can still catch unprepared road users, especially on relatively unlit stretches.

Advisory for commuters, school runs and air travellers

Authorities and weather officials are urging commuters to build a small buffer into their morning schedule while the fog trend persists. Motorists are advised to use low-beam headlights, avoid sudden lane changes and maintain safer following distances on hazy stretches. Parents managing school drop-offs may need extra time at junctions where fog makes it harder to judge oncoming vehicles or pedestrians in the early light.

For those heading to Kempegowda International Airport, aviation experts recommend tracking airline alerts and live flight status, and arriving well in advance of departure time during the pre-dawn window. Even when Bengaluru’s fog is shallow, operational protocols can require slower movement of aircraft on the ground. Building in that margin, they say, helps travellers absorb any minor delays without missing flights or rushing through security checks.

As the fog lifts and sunshine returns by mid-morning, Bengaluru is expected to shift back to its familiar, dry-season pattern for the rest of the day. Residents are likely to experience a noticeable contrast between the crisp start and warmer afternoon, a hallmark of the city’s January weather. For now, officials advise early commuters to stay alert, plan a short buffer and treat the fog as a manageable, seasonal inconvenience rather than a cause for alarm.