The Great London Smog: How the weather conspired to kill 12,000 people
With visibility reduced to almost zero, driving and even walking became nearly impossible.
Between Dec. 5 and 9, 1952, a perfect storm of weather patterns helped create a tragic event that killed thousands. AccuWeather’s Melissa Constanzer has a look back at the historic event.
London's poor air quality was an issue for centuries, but between Dec. 5 and 9, 1952, a perfect storm of weather patterns helped create a tragic event that killed thousands, later sparking the Clean Air Act of 1956 in England.
It began with an unusually early cold snap in December 1952 that caused Londoners to burn much more coal than usual to stay warm. On Dec. 4, a high pressure system moved in, reducing winds and trapping the smog for days, causing "pea-soup" conditions where the smog appeared yellow or green due to sulphur pollutants.
A London policeman wearing a mask for protection against the thick fog which hit most of the country and turned to smog in the city on Jan. 1, 1962. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
A weather map from Dec. 4, 1952 shows a strong high pressure system over England (NOAA)
With visibility reduced to almost zero, driving and even walking became nearly impossible. Masks, for those who could afford them, were purchased and worn as protection. Makeshift masks were even used to protect livestock.
While the human death toll was initially estimated at 4,000, a study in 2004 found that as many as 12,000 may have perished from respiratory infections.
"Fog Service in Force" notice to be seen at Paddington Station in London in 1952. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Clean Air Act of 1956 called for homeowners and factories to convert to smokeless fuels, but this took years to implement. Similar events killed hundreds more people in 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1962.
A man guiding a London bus through thick fog with a flaming torch on Dec. 8, 1952. (Photo by Monty Fresco/Getty Images)
