At 10:18 p.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued an updated freezing fog advisory for the lowlands of Benton, Linn, and Lane counties, which was in force until 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Additionally, the weather service states, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in fog and freezing fog.”
“Those who have respiratory disorders may experience complications as a result of poor air quality. Driving conditions could be dangerous due to low visibility. Fog droplets may freeze when they come into touch with surfaces due to temperatures at or slightly below freezing, which could result in slick places on roads overnight and into early Thursday, according to the weather service. “If you’re 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. State air quality agencies may advise—or even require—that household wood burning devices be kept to a minimum and that no outdoor burning take place. 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 and air quality department. 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.
Understanding freezing fog advisories
An advisory for freezing fog is a critical warning when fog is expected to form at or below freezing temperatures. Under such circumstances, the fog’s minuscule liquid droplets have the ability to quickly freeze when they come into touch with objects, such as cars and roads. Visibilities frequently fall to a mile or less as a result of this phenomena, which dramatically increases the risks involved in driving, sailing, flying, and other forms of transportation.
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.
Slow down:
Reduce your speed when driving, particularly if there is a suspicion of slippery conditions.
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 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.
Remember that even a tiny film of ice can build on aircraft surfaces, posing serious threats to flight safety for those who are flying to the skies. Before you take off, make sure the aircraft has been adequately treated or has efficient de-icing systems installed.
Knowledge and alertness are your unwavering partners in the world of freezing fog, enabling you to handle these weather-related challenges with your safety as your top priority.
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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