A dense fog advisory has been issued for Central Valley residents. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford, CA, announced this warning on Thursday at 10:08 PM. The advisory will be active Friday morning, starting at 5 AM and expiring at 10 AM.
Areas Affected by the Dense Fog Advisory
The advisory covers a wide area, including:
- Merced
- Madera
- Mendota
- Planada
- Le Grand
- Snelling
- Fresno area
- Fresno-Clovis
- Delano-Wasco-Shafter
- Hanford
- Corcoran
- Lemoore
- Visalia
- Porterville
- Reedley
Conditions Expected
The NWS anticipates areas of patchy fog turning into dense fog by Friday morning. The visibility is predicted to drop to one-quarter mile or less, with a likelihood of 50 to 60 percent.
Driving Precautions
Low visibility poses hazardous driving conditions. Motorists are advised to take the following precautions:
- Reduce speed and allow more time for travel.
- Use low-beam headlights to enhance visibility for yourself and others.
- Avoid high-beam lights as they create glare, worsening visibility.
- Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead to accommodate sudden stops.
- Follow road lines with your eyes to stay in your lane.
What to Do in Extreme Conditions
If visibility is nearly zero, the NWS recommends the following steps:
- Turn on hazard lights.
- Safely pull into a parking lot or a local business if available.
- If there are no safe parking options, move your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
Once parked, turn off all lights except for the hazard lights to avoid confusion with other drivers.
The advisory will remain in effect until 10 AM Friday. Residents are urged to exercise caution if they must travel during this period.
