Central Oregon Awakens to a Pea-Souper: Navigate Dense Fog with Extreme Caution Through Friday Morning

Well, if you’re waking up or planning to hit the roads across Central Oregon this morning, you’re likely already noticing it – a thick, soupy blanket of fog has settled in, making for some truly challenging driving conditions. The National Weather Service has, in fact, issued a Dense Fog Advisory that's going to be sticking with us right through Friday morning, so it’s definitely something we all need to pay close attention to.

We’re talking about areas like Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Sisters, amongst others, all being affected. And when they say "dense fog," they really mean it. The official word is that visibility could drop to a quarter-mile or even less. Now, let’s be honest, that’s incredibly difficult to navigate, especially if you're traveling at normal highway speeds.

So, what does this mean for your commute or any travel plans you might have? It means extreme caution is absolutely paramount. It’s not just about being a little careful; it's about fundamentally changing how you approach driving. The most critical piece of advice, and honestly, the one that can save lives, is to significantly slow down. Give yourself more time than you think you need to reach your destination.

And speaking of safety, remember to use your low-beam headlights. It's a common mistake, but high beams in fog actually reflect light back at you, making visibility even worse – think of it like shining a flashlight into a mirror. Also, maintain a much greater following distance than you normally would. When visibility is this low, sudden stops are a real danger, and you need that extra space to react safely.

It’s easy to get frustrated by delays, but trust me, arriving a little late is infinitely better than not arriving at all, or worse, being involved in an accident. The fog might look pretty from a distance, but when you're in the thick of it, it demands your full, undivided attention. Stay safe out there, Central Oregon, and let's all get through this foggy patch without incident.