5 Freeway through Grapevine is the focus of a dense fog advisory issued at 10:48 a.m. on Thursday by the National Weather Service. The advisory is in effect until Saturday Dec. 13, at 11 a.m.
“Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog for elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 feet,” can be anticipated according to the NWS Hanford CA. “Mountain Highways included but not limited to: 41, 58, 152, 168, 198 and Interstate 5. With little change in conditions, the dense fog will remain all day.”
“Sudden encounter of low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the NWS said. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”
The full list of affected locations includes:
- 5 freeway through Grapevine
- West Side Mountains north of 198
- Coalinga – Avenal
- West Side Mountains South of 198
- South End San Joaquin Valley
- Mariposa Madera Foothills
- Mariposa-Madera Lower Sierra
- Fresno-Tulare Foothills
- Fresno-Tulare Lower Sierra
- South End Sierra Foothills
- South End of the Lower Sierra
- Tehachapi
- Frazier Mountain Communities
- Buena Vista 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 venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:
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 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:
Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting 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 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 more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page