Several counties across Texas have been warned by the National Weather Service (NWS) to expect dense fog, which could reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile in some parts, until Thursday morning.
Why It Matters
This drop in visibility is likely to make driving conditions hazardous and could affect Thursday morning’s commute. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, low visibility caused by fog, results in over 38,700 vehicle crashes each year. The NWS has, therefore, urged drivers to slow down, use low beam headlights, and maintain a safe distance from the car in front.
What To Know
The dense fog, which is expected to reduce visibility to a quarter of a mile or less overnight Wednesday until Thursday morning, is forecast to affect:
- North central, central, south central, southwest, west central, and northwest parts of Louisiana.
- East and south-central Texas, especially counties to the east of the I-35 corridor across south-central Texas.
- Southeast Texas, specifically Chambers, Northern Liberty, and Southern Liberty counties.
- South Texas, particularly the following areas: Bee, Coastal Aransas, Coastal Calhoun, Coastal Kleberg, Coastal Nueces, Coastal Refugio, Coastal San Patricio, Duval, Goliad, Inland Calhoun, Inland Kleberg, Inland Nueces, Inland Refugio, Inland San Patricio, Jim Wells, Live Oak, McMullen, and Victoria counties.
The NWS has issued the below safety advice for those who need to drive in these dangerous conditions:
- Slow down and allow extra time for journeys.
- Make the vehicle visible to people ahead and behind by using low-beam headlights.
- Use fog lights where possible.
- Don’t use high-beam headlights, as they will make it harder to see what’s ahead.
- Leave plenty of distance between the vehicle in front in case they stop suddenly.
- Follow the road lines.
In extremely dense fog, drivers are advised to turn on their hazard lights, pull over into a safe place, and if that’s on the side of the road or hard shoulder—turn off all lights except the hazards, engage the hand brake, and wait until the fog lifts.
What People Are Saying
The chief meteorologist for KTRE-TV ABC 9, Brad Hlozek, said: “A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for most of east Texas through 9 a.m. Thursday as patchy, dense fog will lead to reduced visibility overnight and on the morning commute into work and school. Allow extra time for your morning travels and use the low beam headlights.”
The Shreveport NWS issued the following warning on X: “A Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for portions of deep east Texas and central Louisiana from 3:00 am through 9:00 am Thursday morning. Visibility of one quarter mile or less in the advisory area.”
What Happens Next
The fog is expected to lift on Thursday morning, after 9 am (CST), but residents and travelers in affected areas are advised to be prepared, remain vigilant, and check local forecasts for weather and road condition updates.