The National Weather Service issued a freezing fog advisory for the Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains and the Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon on Wednesday at 9:49 p.m., which will remain in force until Thursday at 10 a.m.
Predictions from the weather service include “Visibility one quarter mile or less in freezing fog.”
The weather service remarks, “Driving conditions could be hazardous due to low visibility.” “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 fact, rime can form on a variety of surfaces, including stairs, railings, sidewalks, roads, and even vehicles.
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 venturing out becomes an inevitability, exercise utmost caution and heed these essential safety guidelines:
High vigilance:
Be vigilant, as freezing fog can give rise to the notorious black ice, which remains elusive and challenging to spot.
Moderate your speed:
Drive at a reduced pace, especially when icy conditions are suspected.
Visibility priority:
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.
Avoid high-beams:
Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what s ahead of you on the road.
Keep your distance:
Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
For those taking to the skies, be aware that even a thin layer of ice can form on aircraft surfaces, posing significant flight safety risks. Ensure the aircraft is appropriately 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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