At 9:24 p.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued an updated dense fog advisory in effect until Sunday at noon for Colorado.

The NWS states to prepare for, “Visibility one quarter to one half mile in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” states the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Larimer and Boulder counties between 6,000 and 9,000 Feet

• Jefferson and West Douglas counties above 6,000 feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park counties below 9,000 feet

• Larimer County below 6,000 feet/Northwest Weld County

• Northeast Weld County

• North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/North Lincoln County

• Logan County

• Washington County

• Phillips County

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

If a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility often drops to just a quarter-mile or less. These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip 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 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 generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting 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 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 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