5 Freeway through Grapevine is under a dense fog advisory which was released by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 6:46 p.m. The advisory is in effect until Wednesday Dec. 10, at 11 a.m.
“Visibility down to quarter mile or less in dense fog,” can be expected according to the NWS Hanford CA. “Mountain Highways included but not limited to: 41, 58, 152, 168, 198 and Interstate 5.”
“Sudden encounter of low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” according to the NWS. “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
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
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 driving in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:
Reduce speed:
Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility priority:
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.
Keep a safe distance:
Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
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, 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.
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page