Heavy Fog and Air Pollution Snarl Traffic, Delay Flights in Shanghai

Friday morning's commute in Shanghai came to a near standstill due to thick fog and heavy pollution that enveloped the city. More than 90 percent of flights at Pudong International Airport were delayed, and speed limits were imposed on major expressways.

From Thursday night through early Friday, dense fog settled over various districts. Authorities in Chongming and parts of Pudong issued red and orange fog alerts after visibility in some areas dropped to critically low levels.

On social media, residents humorously remarked that the city's iconic trio of landmark towers, namely the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center, had once again "vanished into the mist," as the Air Quality Index soared past 200.

Although the city's meteorological service lifted its yellow fog alert at 10:25am, air quality remained moderately polluted in the afternoon, with smog exacerbating the effects on daily travel.

Du Yugang, a senior engineer with the Shanghai Meteorological Service,said visibility is expected to dip once again on Saturday morning, while air quality is set to gradually improve from late Friday onward.

Traffic police said most expressways were operating under speed limits of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour on Friday morning, with some entrances shut as a precaution. During the peak commute, sections of the G40 Expressway were briefly closed, leading to slow-moving traffic on parts of the S20 Outer Ring Road. Ferry services were briefly suspended.

Police later said speed limits on most expressways had been lifted and ferry services had resumed, with restrictions remaining only on the G40 Expressway toward Qidong in Jiangsu Province.

Air travel was among the hardest hit. Pudong Airport reported an average delay of 72 minutes for 92 percent of flights. Many passengers reported hour-long departure delays on Weibo.

Flight operations stabilized as visibility rose above 800 meters later in the morning. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, however, remained unaffected.

China Eastern Airlines advised travelers to stay safe at 9am when fog reduced visibility to below 100 meters.

Meteorologists said the fog was the result of more than just overnight cooling. Radiative cooling and sea air humidity caused dense fog from late Thursday to Friday morning.

Visibility dropped below 500 meters in most of the city and briefly below 50 meters in Chongming. High airborne particle levels persisted after the fog warning was lifted midmorning.

Environmental authorities said Shanghai's Air Quality Index reached 202 by 10am, making it "heavily polluted" with PM2.5 as the main pollutant.

Health experts advised the public to avoid prolonged or intense outdoor exercise, and children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions should limit outdoor activities.

Officials urged residents to be extra cautious in low-visibility conditions. Drivers were advised to slow down, keep a safe distance, and use lights, while pedestrians and cyclists were warned to be alert. Air travelers should check flight information and adjust their plans in advance.