National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Social Media: Fog
#WeatherReady

 

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Small Decisions: Fog

Facebook
Dense fog can quickly and unexpectedly reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less. If you find yourself on the road during a dense fog event, the small decisions you choose to make could end up saving your life. Small decisions like slowing down, not using cruise control, and delaying travel until conditions improve can make a big impact...or save you from one. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
Dense fog can quickly and unexpectedly reduce visibility to a ¼ mile or less. If you find yourself on the road during a dense fog event, the small decisions you choose to make could end up saving your life. weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Small Decisions can have a big impact: Dense Fog. 1) Slow down when visibility is reduced. 2) Don't use cruise control. 3) Delay travel until conditions improve. Don't let a bad decision be your last.

 

Science of Fog Formation (video)

Facebook
Fog limits visibility, delays air travel, brings danger to the roads, and makes things generally spooky. But, how does it form? Watch this short video: youtu.be/QkRqjcO1ROk

Twitter
Fog limits visibility, delays air travel, brings danger to the roads, and makes things generally spooky. But, how does it form? Watch this short video: youtu.be/QkRqjcO1ROk

 

Driving in Fog - Reaction Time

Facebook
If fog reduces your visibility while driving, do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
If fog reduces your visibility while driving, do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Pictured: Car driving in fog.  Text: In dense fog, you only have seconds to react!

 

Science of Valley Fog

Facebook
Do you know how valley fog is created? First, air at higher elevations cools down, which then drains downslope into the valley. From there, a cool, stable layer forms near the ground, which limits turbulent mixing and traps the cool, moist air. Finally, the air near the ground continues to cool until water vapor molecules are changed into small droplets of liquid water. weather.gov/safety/fog-mountain-valley

Twitter
Do you know how valley fog is created? Find out here: weather.gov/safety/fog-mountain-valley #WeatherReady

The Science of Vallery Fog: 1. Air cools at higher elevations as the ground radiates heat into the atmosphere and space. 2. Cooler air drains downslope into the valley. 3. A cool, stable layer forms the ground, which limits turbulent mixing and traps the cool, moist air.  4. The air near the ground continues to cool until water vapor moleculesd are changed into small droplets of liquid water.

 

Disabled Vehicle in Dense Fog

Facebook
Dense fog reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less, which could result in motor vehicle accidents. Here’s what you can do if your vehicle breaks down in dense fog. Move your disabled vehicle to the shoulder of the road, keep only the hazard lights on, and if possible, walk away from the road. Learn more about fog safety by visiting weather.gov/safety/fog.

Twitter
Dense fog reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less, which could result in motor vehicle accidents. In dense fog, move your disabled vehicle to the shoulder, keep only the hazard lights on, and if possible, walk away from the road. Learn more: weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Fog Safety - Disabled Vehicle in Dense Fog: 1. Pull well onto the shoulder. 2. Turn off all lights except 'flashers'. 3. If possible leave your vehicle and move away from the road.

 

Science of Super Fog

Facebook
What is super fog? Generally, fog is formed by air moving over a ground of colder temperature, which causes water vapor in the air to condense into tiny liquid droplets. Super fog is caused by this condensed water vapor combining with a mixture of smoke and moisture released from damp smoldering organic material such as brush, leaves and trees. When super fog is formed, visibility is drastically reduced, often to no more than a few feet. weather.gov/safety/fog-super

Twitter
What is super fog? Find out at weather.gov/safety/fog-super #WeatherReady

What is super fog? Condensed water vapor combined with a mixture of smoke and moisture. Super fog causes visibility to be drastically reduced.

 

Hazard to Motorists

Facebook
Fog reduces visibility and contributes to numerous motorist accidents every year. Dense Fog Advisories are issued when visibility is expected to drop to one quarter mile or less. Take caution and check to see if there are any Dense Fog Advisories issued for your commute before driving. Learn more about fog safety by visiting weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
Driving in fog can be hazardous. Take caution. Learn more about #FogSafety by visiting at weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Fog may be a hazard to motorists. Dense fog makes it difficult to see what's ahead. Turn on your low-beam lights. Drive slowly and with caution.

 

Bridge Safety

Facebook
Slowing down is the most important thing you can do to drive safely in dense fog. Reduced visibilities can lead to motor vehicle accidents. Visibility is usually the lowest on bridges and near bodies of water. Learn more about fog safety by visiting weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
Please slow down when driving in dense fog. weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Fog safety for bridges: Dense fog is usually worse on bridges. Turn on your low-beam lights. Drive slowly and with caution.

 

Driving in Dense Fog

Facebook
If fog reduces your visibility while driving, do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
If fog reduces your visibility while driving, do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Dense Fog is a travel hazard.  Dense fog causes reduced visibility. Turn on your low-beam lights. Drive slowly and with caution.

 

Driving in Patchy Fog

Facebook
Driving in fog can be dangerous. Be on the lookout for sudden changes in visibility. The patchy nature of fog can lower visibility quickly especially if you are driving fast, so be sure to slow down. Visibility may also be lower near rivers. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
The patchy nature of #fog can lower visibility quickly—slow down and stay alert! weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Tips for driving in patchy fog: Patchy fog can be a hazard to motorists. Turn on your low-beam lights. Drive slowly and with caution.

 

How Fog Forms

Facebook
Fog forms when water droplets are present in the air near the earth's surface. There are several different types of fog—radiation fog, advection fog, freezing fog and others—but all can be hazardous to drivers, boaters or aviators. Learn more about fog and how to stay safe from it when on the road, on the water, or in the air. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
Learn about different types of fog and the threat they can pose if you’re driving, boating or flying: weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Ever wonder what causes fog? Fog forms when water vapor condenses into tiny drops near the ground. The three main types of fog are radiation, advection, and evaporation.

 

Boating

Facebook
If you're a boater, chances are you’ve at least occasionally encountered reduced visibility in fog, and you will need to know how to navigate through it safely. Visibility can be reduced to just a few feet, disorienting boaters. weather.gov/safety/fog

Twitter
Knowing how to navigate through fog safely is an important part of safe boating. weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Fog safety is an important part of safe boating. Dense fog makes it difficult to see what's ahead. Turn on all your running lights. Slow down. Listen for sounds.

 

Fog Products

Facebook
Your local NWS forecast office will issue a Dense Fog Advisory when widespread or localized fog is expected to reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less over a large area for an extended period of time, usually two hours or more. Learn more about fog safety: weather.gov/safety/fog-ww #FogSafety

Twitter
Learn about Dense Fog Advisories and what you need to know if one is issued for your area weather.gov/safety/fog-ww #WeatherReady

Dense Fog Advisory mean dense fog is expected! Exercise caution. Areas of dense fog will reduce visibility and pose a threat to motorists. Allow extra time for travel, drive slowly, and use your low-beam lights.