A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Saturday at 9:56 p.m. for dense fog until Sunday at 3 a.m. The alert is for Lincoln, McDuffie, Columbia, Richmond and Burke counties.
"Patchy dense fog is developing across spots in our area this evening, mainly from the Columbia metro southwest into the CSRA. Visibilities should improve later tonight as winds increase ahead of a line of showers and thunderstorms," says the NWS.
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS 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 automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.
Avoid high-beams:
• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Keep a safe distance:
• Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
• Use the road's lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
• 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.
No parking options:
• If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service
