On Tuesday at 5:06 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated dense fog advisory in effect until 9 a.m. The advisory is for Greater Caldwell, Greater Burke, Eastern McDowell, Greater Rutherford, Eastern Polk, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Central Greenville, Southern Greenville, Northern Spartanburg and Southern Spartanburg as well as Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Alexander, Iredell, Davie, Catawba, Rowan, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cherokee, York, Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens, Union, Chester and Greenwood counties.

“Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog,” explains the NWS. “Some locations in the Piedmont have seen fog become more patchy or variable in thickness since early morning. Such locations are likely to see visibilities worsen again, at least for short periods, before the fog dissipates altogether in late morning.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” comments the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use low-beam headlights and fog lamps, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Drivers may encounter rapid changes in visibility along area roadways this morning. Even if visibility does not seem severely impacted, still be prepared to encounter dense fog.”

Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions

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 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.

Maintain safe gaps:

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 staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.

Limited 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