At 2:47 a.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued an updated dense fog advisory for Inner Portland Metro, East Portland Metro, and Outer Southeast Portland Metro that would be in force until 11 a.m.
“Visibility is one quarter mile or less in dense fog, and freezing fog in spots across rural areas,” the weather service reports. A prolonged inversion with light and changeable winds may result in a period of stagnant air conditions, often known as the Air Stagnation Advisory. Over time, this situation can cause air contaminants to accumulate close to the surface.
“Those who have respiratory disorders may experience complications as a result of poor air quality. Driving conditions could become dangerous due to low visibility, according to the weather agency. “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. 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.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
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.
The following safety advice should be kept in mind if you must drive in foggy conditions:
Slow down:
To ensure you get at your destination safely, slow down and allow additional time for your journey.
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.
Remain at a safe distance:
To allow for unexpected stops or changes in traffic patterns, maintain a significant following distance.
Remain in your lane:
To stay in the proper lane, follow the lane lines on the road.
Strategy for zero visibility:
The best course of action in extremely deep fog with near-zero visibility is to switch on your hazard lights first, then pull into a safe spot, like a local company parking lot, and stop.
Absence of parking choices
Pull your car as far off the road as you can if there isn’t a designated parking space. To reduce the possibility of other vehicles colliding with your stationary car, turn off all lights save the warning flashers, apply the emergency brake, and depress the brake pedal. This will keep your tail lights off.
Following these weather service guidelines will help you drive more safely in foggy conditions, lowering your chance of an accident and protecting your health.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
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