5 Freeway through Grapevine is the focus of a dense fog advisory released at 2:43 a.m. on Monday by the National Weather Service. The advisory is in effect until 11 a.m.
The NWS Hanford CA adds to expect, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog for elevations between 1000 and 2500 feet.”
“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
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 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 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 a safe distance:
Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Zero visibility protocol:
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.
Limited 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 with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page
