A dense fog advisory was released by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 5:35 a.m. in effect until 10 a.m. The advisory is for Fisher, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion, Tom Green, Concho, Haskell, Throckmorton, Jones, Shackelford, Taylor, Callahan, Coleman and Brown counties.

The NWS says to prepare for, “Expect areas of dense fog this morning with the visibility less than 1/4 of a mile. The dense fog will impact motorists along US 87 north of San Angelo and along I-20 from Sweetwater to Abilene.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” states the NWS. “A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be reduced to one quarter mile or less. If driving, slow down, use your low beams, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

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 driving through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines:

Moderate your speed:

Slow down and allocate 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 headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep your distance:

Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden 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.

Zero visibility strategy:

In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

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 with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service