The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for the Benton County Lowlands, Linn County Lowlands, and Lane County Lowlands on Thursday at 4:03 p.m., which will last until Friday at 11 a.m.
“Visibility frequently below one quarter mile in dense fog and areas of freezing fog,” the weather service says. “This evening, fog will re-form and spread throughout the southern Willamette Valley. In general, overnight temperatures will remain at or slightly above freezing. Still, some places will get below freezing again. Therefore, especially on less-traveled rural roads and bridges, drivers should be ready for potentially slippery or slick conditions.
“Those who have respiratory disorders may experience complications as a result of poor air quality. Driving conditions could be dangerous due to low visibility, the weather agency said. “If you’re driving, use your headlights, slow down, and give yourself plenty of space. When driving, reduce your speed and give yourself plenty of space. To improve their chances of being noticed by others in low visibility situations, cyclists and pedestrians can dress in reflective or bright clothes. State air quality organizations strongly advise against outdoor burning and to minimize the number of wood-burning equipment in homes. Long stretches of stagnant air can trap pollutants near the ground where people live and breathe, according to state air quality regulators. For information on any current limitations in your area, contact your local burn agency. When there is a high degree of air pollution during times of stagnant air, people with respiratory illnesses should heed their doctor’s advise, particularly if your location is under an Air Quality Alert. As an alternative, you could enter your location in the search bar located on the homepage’s upper-left corner. If there is an Air Quality Alert for your area, it will be displayed at the top; if so, you can click on it to view further information.
Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions
Visibility frequently lowers to a quarter-mile or less if a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, indicating that widespread dense fog has formed. Driving in these conditions might be difficult, so be extremely careful and, if at all possible, postpone your journey.
The following safety advice should be kept in mind if you must drive in foggy conditions:
Go at a moderate pace:
To get to your location safely, slow down and allow additional time for travel.
Visibility is important.
Use low-beam headlights, which also turn on your taillights, to make sure that people can see your car. Make advantage of your fog lights if you have them.
Steer clear of high beams:
Avoid using high-beam headlights since they produce glare that reduces your driving visibility.
Keep your gaps safe:
Keep a considerable following distance in order to accommodate sudden stops or changes in traffic patterns.
Remain in your lane:
Use the lane markers on the road as a reference to make sure you are staying in the correct lane.
Strategy for zero visibility:
When there is almost no visibility because of heavy fog, turn on your hazard lights and find a safe place to stop, like a nearby company parking lot.
Absence of parking choices
Pull your car as far off the road as you can if there isn’t a designated parking space. To lessen the chance of other cars crashing into your stationary car, turn off all of your lights save the hazard flashers, apply the emergency brake, and let go of the brake pedal. This will make sure your tail lights are off.
Following these weather service guidelines will help you drive more safely in foggy circumstances, reducing the chance of accidents and putting your health first.
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