Most of the Puget Sound region was under a dense fog advisory from the National Weather Service. Bellevue, Bremerton, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, and the Hood Canal region are all included in the advisory.
The moist air cools until its humidity reaches 100% and fog occurs when the cool air combines with the warm, humid air over the water.
People’s ability to accurately evaluate distances and speeds can be impacted by fog, which can cause slower reaction times when walking and driving. Accidents may result from people not knowing if they are approaching an intersection or another car.
One Thunderbird student Mary said, “I was too scared to drive to school today since the fog since I’m a new driver so I ended up taking the bus.”
The NWS reports visibility of a quarter to a half mile. For people who commute early in the morning, this might make driving conditions dangerous. Drivers are urged to make sure their headlights are on, drive more slowly than usual, and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. Use the fog lights on your car if it has them; they improve road visibility in foggy weather.
There are also areas of freezing fog, which may result in the formation of black ice on the roads. Mostly, this will affect areas south of Puget Sound.
Drive carefully in fog since sudden stops or lane changes might be risky. Check the weather and flight conditions in advance if you are flying or traveling, as fog can cause delays or cancellations at airports.
Fog can cause delays and cancellations at SeaTac Airport, a significant transportation hub. Pilot visibility during takeoff, landing, and traveling can be restricted by fog, which can also interfere with flight plans. Heavy fog still presents concerns, even if current technology, such as instrument landing systems lets aircraft land safely in fog.
In some situations, fog may cause air pollution issues even though it is not directly harmful. Fog can trap particles near the ground in some places, raising the level other particles and lowering air quality, which can make respiratory problems worse for those who already have them.
Make sure to stay safe, always check the weather, and be cautious when driving, traveling, or if you have any health concerns. And remember to always inform family and friends about the risks of fog.