On Friday at 7:38 a.m. a dense fog advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until noon for West Central Willamette Valley, East Central Willamette Valley, Benton County Lowlands and Linn County Lowlands.
The weather service states, "Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog."
"Deteriorating air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems. Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous," states the weather service. "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. If driving, slow down and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Pedestrians and cyclists should wear bright or reflective clothing to increase the chances of being seen by others in poor visibility conditions. State air quality agencies highly recommend that no outdoor burning occur and that residential wood burning devices be limited as much as possible. According to state air quality agencies, prolonged periods of stagnant air can hold pollutants close to the ground where people live and breathe. Check with your local burn agency for any current restrictions in your area. People with respiratory illness should follow their physician's advice for dealing with high levels of air pollution during periods of stagnant air, especially if an Air Quality Alert is in effect for your area. Alternatively, you could also type your location into the search bar found on the top-left hand side of the homepage. From there, you will see an Air Quality Alert listed at the top if one is in effect for your location; you can click the alert to read more details if applicable."
If a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility often drops to just a quarter-mile or less. These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:
Moderate your speed:
Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters:
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.
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.
Maintain safe gaps:
Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road's lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
Limited parking options:
If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.