The National Weather Service issued a freezing fog advisory for North Central Oregon at 11:44 p.m. on Friday, which will be in force until 10 a.m. on Saturday.
An additional warning from the meteorological service is, “Visibility of one-quarter mile or less in freezing fog.”
“Driving conditions could be hazardous due to low visibility,” the weather agency said. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”
Understanding freezing fog advisories
An advisory for freezing fog is issued when surface temperatures are at or below the freezing point and fog is forming. Under such circumstances, the tiny liquid droplets in the fog may instantly freeze when they come into touch with other surfaces, such as cars and roads. Driving, boating, aircraft, and other forms of transportation are all at increased risk when there is freezing fog. Visibilities usually fall to a mile or less.
A freezing fog: what is it?
A close relative of ice, freezing fog forms similarly to ordinary fog. When the skies are clear, heat travels into space, causing the Earth’s surface to cool. This is how fog and freezing fog begin. The air’s ability to hold onto moisture diminishes as this cooling process goes on, which causes water vapor to condense into tiny liquid droplets—the fundamental building blocks of fog. “Supercooling” is the term for the phenomena whereby the water droplets in this fog stay liquid when it occurs at temperatures below freezing. Essentially, supercooling is the process by which a liquid stays liquid because there is no freezing surface present, even when it is below its freezing point.
These supercooled droplets experience a stunning metamorphosis upon coming into contact with surfaces, crystallizing into fragile ice formations called rime. Trees, plants, and other environmental features, as well as vertical surfaces exposed to prevailing winds, frequently exhibit this change. In actuality, rime can develop on a number of surfaces, such as sidewalks, highways, railings, stairs, and even automobiles.
Black ice: what is it?
Clear ice, sometimes referred to as black ice, is a thin, almost undetectable layer of glaze ice that accumulates on a variety of surfaces, particularly roads. Despite its name, the ice is not black; rather, it has extraordinary transparency, which allows the black road pavement underneath to be seen.
Freezing fog is often blamed for the production of black ice, which can quickly cover roads with this dangerous threat. Due to its near-invisibility, black ice is particularly dangerous since it is difficult for drivers to notice.
How can I keep myself safe?
Avoiding travel if at all feasible may be the safest course of action when freezing fog covers your surroundings. If going out becomes inevitable, go with extreme caution and follow these crucial safety precautions:
High alertness:
Keep an eye out because the infamous black ice, which is still difficult to detect, can form from freezing fog.
Go at a moderate pace:
To account for possibly ice conditions, slow down.
Priority for visibility:
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:
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 remaining in the correct lane.
For those taking to the skies, remember that even a thin layer of ice can form on aircraft surfaces, posing severe risks to flight safety. Ensure that the aircraft is properly treated or equipped with effective de-icing systems before embarking on your journey.
In the realm of freezing fog, knowledge, and vigilance serve as your steadfast allies, empowering you to navigate these meteorological complexities with safety as your main priority.
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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