On Wednesday at 8:37 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for the West Central and East Central Willamette Valleys, which would last until Thursday at 10 a.m.
Additionally, the meteorological service states, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”
“Those who have respiratory conditions may experience problems as a result of declining air quality. The weather service warns that driving conditions could become dangerous due to low visibility. “If you’re 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.
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the weather service
Visibility can drop to a quarter-mile or less when a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, indicating that widespread dense fog has formed. Travel is difficult in these conditions, so be extra careful when driving or, if at all possible, postpone your journey.
If it becomes impossible to avoid driving in fog, keep these safety precautions in mind:
Go at a moderate pace:
Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility is important.
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. Make use of your fog lights if you have them.
Steer clear of high beams:
Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Keep your gaps safe:
Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
Zero visibility protocol:
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.
Limited parking options:
If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.
By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
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