A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Monday at 5:55 a.m. for dense fog until 9 a.m. for Berkshire County.
“Locally dense fog is occurring around rivers, swamps, lakes and wet lands this morning. The dense fog is affecting the Schoharie Valley, Hudson Valley, including parts of the Capital Region, Lake George Saratoga Region, the eastern Mohawk Valley, Berkshires, Litchfield Hills and southern Vermont. Visibilities have been reduced to less than a mile, and below a quarter mile locally. Motorists are advised to slow down, use low beam headlights, and allow extra distance between yourself and other motorists. The fog should burn off by 9 a.m.,” says the weather service.
Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:
Reduce speed:
- Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility priority:
- 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 lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you 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 protocol:
- 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 weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring 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.
