Look for fog in West Georgia Wednesday afternoon

Published 11:01 am Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The National Weather Service issued a report at 10:56 a.m. on Wednesday for fog until 1 p.m. The alert is for North Fulton and South Fulton as well as Paulding, Cobb, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Carroll, Douglas, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, Jefferson, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery and Toombs counties.

“Late this morning, very low visibilities from dense fog are improving across much of north and central Georgia, however widespread low clouds and areas of fog will persist through early this afternoon, especially across central Georgia, along and south of I-20. Visibilities at times will be reduced to less than 1/2 mile in some locations. Travelers are urged to continue using caution especially on interstates and state highways where sudden flucuations in visibilities will occur,” states the NWS.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

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 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.

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 staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility strategy:

  • 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 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 more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service