Raleigh, North Carolina.Driving in central North Carolina has become dangerous due to a dense fog advisory that was issued Saturday morning. In numerous places, visibility has down to a quarter mile or less. The fog may create abrupt changes in visibility, particularly in low-lying rural regions, the National Weather Service advised drivers.
Areas Most Affected
Patchy fog stretched from the Triangle throughout the Piedmont in Virginia and through the Sandhills in North Carolina, according to the National Weather Service offices in Wakefield and Raleigh, Virginia. With circumstances getting worse throughout the I-95 corridor, the cities with the deepest fog were Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilson, Rocky Mount, and Goldsboro.
Particularly affected were drivers on US 64, I-40, and I-85, where fog rapidly reduced visibility when passing between clear and dense areas. Both long-haul truck drivers and commuters found the situation dangerous due to these abrupt changes.
Why Fog Formed Overnight
High humidity, still winds, and colder overnight temperatures all contributed to the formation of the fog by allowing moisture to condense close to the surface. River valleys and open farmland are particularly vulnerable to fog production, according to meteorologists, since cooler air concentrates in low-lying places, storing moisture and producing dense haze patches.
In late summer, when daytime heat and humidity combine with nightly cooling, this pattern is common. However, the National Weather Service warns that because visibility can drop from half a mile to a few feet in a matter of seconds, patchy fog is one of the most dangerous weather situations for vehicles and frequently results in accidents.
Travel Hazards and Safety Recommendations
Drivers were reminded by transportation officials to:
-
Reduce speed
when entering foggy areas. -
Keep a safe following distance
, since brake lights may be harder to see. -
Use
low-beam headlights
instead of high beams, which reflect off fog droplets and cause dangerous glare.
The Country Herald claims that taking these precautions can greatly lower the likelihood of crashes during fog episodes.
Timeline for Improvement
As temperatures increase and sunlight evaporates surface moisture, meteorologists anticipate that the fog will gradually clear by mid- to late morning. In the meantime, drivers in Virginia and North Carolina were advised to exercise caution and factor in additional travel time.
Extended Outlook
In the future, the prediction requires:
-
Saturday afternoon:
Sunny and hot, with highs near
90 F
. -
Sunday:
Continued warmth with slightly lower humidity. -
Early next week:
A dry pattern will dominate, though
isolated afternoon thunderstorms
may return by midweek.
Although the fog is expected to break off today, the National Weather Service warns that if overnight conditions stay calm and humid, patchy fog may return early next week.
Did the fog this morning interfere with your weekend plans or commute? Post your experiences in the SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com comments section.
