Oregon's Valleys Brace for Dense Fog: Drive Safe This Weekend

There's a quiet, ethereal beauty to a foggy morning, but when that fog gets dense enough, it quickly shifts from picturesque to genuinely perilous. Right now, folks living in parts of Southern Oregon, specifically Eastern Curry County, Josephine County, and Jackson County, need to be acutely aware of just how thick things are getting out there.

The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for these areas, and it's set to remain in effect until Sunday, November 16th, at 11 AM PST. So, what does this mean for you? Well, simply put, visibility could drop to a quarter-mile or even less. Imagine trying to navigate your morning commute or an afternoon errand with such limited sight – it’s a recipe for trouble if you’re not prepared.

Driving in dense fog isn't like driving in rain or snow. It's a disorienting experience where landmarks disappear, and the road ahead seems to vanish into a grey void. The advisory isn't just a suggestion; it's a serious warning. When conditions are this poor, you absolutely must slow down. That means reducing your speed significantly, much more than you might initially think necessary. Don't rely on your high beams; they'll only reflect light back into your eyes, making visibility worse. Stick to your low beams, or even better, fog lights if your vehicle has them.

Another crucial tip: increase your following distance. Give yourself plenty, and I mean plenty, of room between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Sudden stops become much harder to react to when you can barely see. And please, if you're feeling at all uncomfortable, consider delaying your travel plans until the fog lifts. Your safety, and the safety of everyone else on the road, is paramount.

So, as we head into the remainder of the weekend, let's all be a little extra cautious on those Southern Oregon roads. The advisory lifts mid-morning Sunday, but until then, let's prioritize safe driving over rushing. Stay alert, stay safe, and let's navigate this foggy patch together.