On Tuesday at 1:20 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory in effect until 9 a.m. for Denver and the Eastern Plains.

The NWS informs, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” adds 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 County below 6,000 feet/Northwest Weld County

• Boulder/Jefferson counties below 6,000 feet/West Broomfield County

• North Douglas County below 6,000 feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe counties/East Broomfield County

• Northeast Weld County

• Central and South Weld County

• Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties

• Morgan County

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 in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:

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 your distance:

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, 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