At 2:16 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for Central Douglas County that would last until 10 a.m.
The weather service says, “Visibility of less than a quarter of a mile in dense fog,” “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. People with respiratory conditions may experience difficulty due to poor air quality, the weather agency said. “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.
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 weather service safety advice should be kept in mind if you must go outside in foggy conditions:
Go at a moderate pace:
To get to your location safely, slow down and give yourself more time to travel.
Visibility is important.
Use low-beam headlights, which also turn on your taillights, to make sure that people can see your car. Make use 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.
Stay away:
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:
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.
Restricted parking possibilities
Pull your car as far to the side of the road as you can if there isn’t a driveway or parking lot to pull into. Once you’ve stopped, make sure the tail lights are off so other cars won’t accidentally collide with you by turning off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, applying the emergency brake, and removing your foot from the brake pedal.
Following these weather service guidelines will help you drive more safely in foggy conditions, lowering your chance of an accident and protecting your health.
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