The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 7:31 a.m. on Thursday for dense fog until 8:30 a.m. for the Eastern Plains.

“Patchy areas of dense fog will continue over the northeast plains through 9 am but then should gradually lift. Some areas may see visibility reduced to 1/2 mile or less,” comments the NWS.

According to the NWS, “If you encounter dense fog, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Northeast Weld County

• Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties

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

• Morgan County

• Logan County

• Washington County

• Sedgwick County

• Phillips County

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

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 priority:

• 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 a safe distance:

• 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 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 designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate 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