A Blanket of Fog Descends: Oregon Under Advisory Until Sunday Morning

Well, folks, it looks like Mother Nature has decided to drape much of Oregon in a rather thick, eerie blanket of dense fog. If you're anywhere near the Willamette Valley or the Coast Range, you've likely noticed it, or you certainly will tonight and early Sunday. The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory, and it's definitely something we need to pay close attention to until at least Sunday morning.

Seriously, we're talking about visibility dropping to a quarter-mile, sometimes even less. Imagine trying to navigate when you can barely see past your own hood – it's genuinely unsettling, isn't it? This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it turns our usually scenic drives into something a bit more treacherous. And while the main advisory covers those key areas, it’s worth keeping an eye out even if you're on the fringes, perhaps heading into parts of Southwest Washington, as fog often doesn’t respect state lines or neat geographical boundaries.

So, what’s a driver to do when the world turns grey and ghostly? First and foremost, ease off that accelerator. Your speed needs to match the conditions, not the posted limit. And speaking of safety, please, please, use your low-beam headlights. High beams, counterintuitively, just reflect off the fog particles and make things even worse, creating a blinding glare for you and everyone else. Also, leave plenty, and I mean plenty, of space between your vehicle and the one ahead. Those sudden stops become incredibly dangerous when you can't see what's coming.

It’s not just about the roads, either. While not explicitly stated for this advisory, dense fog can also throw a wrench into air travel plans, so if you or someone you know is flying out of Portland or other regional airports, it’s always a good idea to check flight statuses before heading out. But for most of us, the biggest concern will be those early morning commutes or weekend travel plans.

Ultimately, this advisory is a heads-up to be extra vigilant. It’s a timely reminder, really, that sometimes the best plan is simply to slow down, be present, and prioritize getting there safely, even if it means arriving a few minutes later. Let's all do our part to keep our roads safe during this foggy stretch. Drive carefully, everyone!