On Sunday at 9:05 p.m. a dense fog advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Monday between midnight and 9 a.m. The advisory is for Lincoln, McDuffie, Columbia and Richmond counties.
"Visibility one quarter mile or less developing in dense fog," explains the NWS. "Areas of dense fog will develop and expand in coverage late tonight, with the greatest coverage and lowest visibilities expected towards sunrise."
"Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous late tonight and early Monday morning, especially for the morning commute," describes the NWS. "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you."
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
When a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility can plummet to a quarter-mile or less. These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Reduce speed:
Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters:
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.
Avoid high-beams:
Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Keep a safe distance:
Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road's lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
Zero visibility strategy:
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
Limited parking options:
If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don't mistakenly run into you.
By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service
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