The National Weather Service issued an updated dense fog advisory at 3:54 a.m. Saturday, effective from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday for Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega. counties.

The weather service says: “Visibility a quarter mile or less in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions dangerous,” comments the weather service. “If you are driving, slow down, use your headlights and leave a large distance in front of you.”

Weather Service Tips for Navigating in Fog Conditions

When a Dense Fog Advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread, dense fog has developed and visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less. These conditions pose travel challenges, so use extreme caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allow extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

Make sure your vehicle is visible to others by using low beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, use your fog lights.

Avoid high beams:

Avoid using high beams, as they create glare that affects your visibility on the road.

Keep a safe distance:

Maintain a generous following distance to account for sudden stops or changes in traffic.

Stay in your lane:

To ensure you stay in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility strategy:

In situations with near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and look for a safe place, such as a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.

Limited parking options:

If a designated parking area is not available, move your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stopped, turn off all lights except the hazard lights, engage the emergency brake and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not on, reducing the risk of d other drivers collide with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.