An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 1:25 a.m. for fog until 4:30 a.m. for Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties.

“Fog is slowly expanding across the area with visibility falling to under a mile at times. Fog should continue to increase in coverage through sunrise, with some areas seeing visibilities falling to around a quarter of a mile. While fog is possible across the entire outlook area, best chances for widespread dense fog appear to be near the Kansas and Colorado border and north and east of a Culbertson to Hill City line. Fog may make travel difficult at times. Slow down and use low beam headlights when encountering any fog. Fog should burn off after 8 a.m. (8 a.m.),” 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 allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use 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:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

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 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 more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service