On Wednesday at 12:17 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for Central Douglas County, which was in force until 10 a.m.
“Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog,” the weather agency said. “Throughout the advisory period, particularly throughout the nighttime and morning hours, strong valley inversions, calm winds, and extremely shallow mixing layers of less than 1000 feet are anticipated. On Thursday, there might be a small window of better mixing and particulate dispersion due to a weak front.
“Driving conditions could be dangerous due to low visibility. Those who have respiratory conditions may experience difficulty due to poor air quality,” the meteorological agency adds. “If you’re driving, use your headlights, slow down, and give yourself plenty of space. When it comes to dealing with high levels of air pollution during periods of stagnant air, people with respiratory illnesses should heed the advise of their doctors. 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.
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the weather service
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.
With low-beam headlights, which turn on your taillights automatically, you can be sure that people can see your car. If your car is fitted with fog lights, use them.
Steer clear of high beams:
Avoid using high-beam lights as they produce glare, which makes it harder to see what’s in front of you on the road.
Keep your gaps safe:
To allow for unexpected stops or modifications in the traffic pattern, maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you.
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 to the side of the road as you can if there isn’t a parking space. To lessen the chance of other cars crashing into your stationary car, switch off all of your lights save the hazard flashers, apply the emergency brake, and let go of the brake pedal. This will ensure that your tail lights are off.
You can travel through foggy circumstances more safely by following these weather service precautions, which can lower the chance of accidents and protect your personal safety.
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