Los Angeles County is included in a dense fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 5:40 a.m. The advisory is in effect until 10 a.m.
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA states to anticipate, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the NWS said. “If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”
The full list of affected locations includes:
- Malibu
- Los Angeles County Beaches
- Palos Verdes Peninsula
- San Luis Obispo County Beaches
- San Luis Obispo County Inland Central Coast
- Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches
- Santa Barbara County Inland Central Coast
- Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast
- Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast
- Ventura County Beaches
- Ventura County Inland Coast
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
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 you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:
Moderate your speed:
Slow down and allocate 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 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.
Maintain safe gaps:
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.
Visibility near zero:
In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.
No 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.
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page