East Bay Valleys Shrouded in Dense Fog: Drive with Caution!

Well, if you're waking up in the East Bay's interior valleys this morning, you've likely noticed a distinct lack of sunshine and a whole lot of gray. That's because a seriously thick blanket of dense fog has rolled in, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an advisory that's set to last until Tuesday midday. It's the kind of soupy, pea-soup fog that just clings to everything, making those morning commutes especially challenging.

We're talking about visibility dropping to a mere quarter-mile in many spots – that's not much more than a few car lengths ahead, folks. Imagine trying to navigate your daily route when you can barely see what's directly in front of you. This isn't just a light mist; it's dense enough to obscure landmarks and make highway signs appear out of nowhere.

So, what does this mean for you, particularly if you're hitting the roads? The NWS is urging everyone to take it easy, and for good reason. Seriously, slow way down, give yourself plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front – far more than you think you need. Sudden stops become a real danger when visibility is this poor.

And remember those headlights! Always use your low beam headlights; high beams will just reflect off the fog and actually make it harder to see. If your car has fog lights, now is definitely the time to switch them on. Beyond just slowing down, be extra attentive to your surroundings. Look out for pedestrians, cyclists, and any unexpected slowdowns ahead.

This isn't just a fleeting mist either; the advisory sticks around until Tuesday's midday hours, so plan for these challenging conditions to persist through the entire morning commute. If you have the luxury, perhaps delay your drive or consider alternative transportation if it means staying safer. But if you must go out, drive defensively, patiently, and stay safe out there. Nobody wants a fender bender just because of some fog.