5 Freeway through Grapevine is the focus of a dense fog advisory released at 6:47 p.m. on Wednesday by the National Weather Service. The advisory is in effect until Thursday Dec. 11, 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.”
“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
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
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 through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines:
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 available, employ your fog lights.
Avoid high-beams:
Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you 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.
Visibility near zero:
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 no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off 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