Dense fog advisory issued for 5 freeway through Grapevine and Tehachapi until Thursday midday

5 freeway through Grapevine and Tehachapi were placed under a dense fog advisory by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 10:03 a.m. The advisory is valid from 11 p.m. until Thursday Jan. 29, at noon.

“Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog. Worst case scenario, visibilities down to zero,” can be expected according to the NWS Hanford CA. “Interstate 5, Highways 99 and 58.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. Visibility can change quickly, before you have time to react,” the NWS said. “If driving, slow down, use your manual or low beam headlights. Do not use automatic headlights since your tail lights will be dark. Leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Have an alternate plans if you will traveling during this time.”

Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions

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 drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips 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 headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Maintain safe gaps:

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 staying in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

Limited parking options:

If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.

By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

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