On Friday at 3:57 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory in effect until 10 a.m. The advisory is for Upper Lafourche, Upper St. Bernard, Upper Terrebonne, Lower Terrebonne, Lower Lafourche, Coastal Jefferson, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Northern Tangipahoa, Southeast St. Tammany, Western Orleans, Eastern Orleans, Northern St. Tammany, Southwestern St. Tammany, Central Tangipahoa, Lower Tangipahoa, Northern Livingston, Southern Livingston, Western Ascension, Eastern Ascension, Upper Jefferson, Lower Jefferson, Upper Plaquemines, Central Plaquemines, Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison and Southern Jackson as well as Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Washington, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Assumption, St. James, St. John The Baptist, St. Charles, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike, Walthall and Pearl River counties.

“Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog,” explains the NWS. “Areas downstream of two marsh fires including much of the southshore may experience extremely low visibilities as fog and smoke mix to potentially form superfog during this mornings commute.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” states the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

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:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allow extra travel time 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 available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep a safe 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 remaining in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.

Limited parking options:

If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate 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 NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service