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Social Media: Fog (Winter)
#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.

Driving in Patchy Fog

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Driving in fog can be dangerous. Be on the lookout for sudden changes in visibility. The patchy nature of fog can lower visibility quickly and unexpectedly, 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 and unexpectedly—slow down and stay alert! weather.gov/safety/fog #WeatherReady

Patchy fog can surprise you:
Be ready for sudden changes in visibility.
Turn on your low-beam headlights when approaching fog.
Drive slowly, and keep your distance from other vehicles.
Use extra caution on bridges and in valleys.

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Dense Fog

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

Dense fog is a road hazard:
Turn on your low-beam headlights when approaching fog.
Drive slowly, and keep your distance from other vehicles.
Consider delaying travel when a Dense Fog Advisory is issued.

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Boating

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If you're a boater, chances are you’ve 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

Boating in dense fog: 
Turn on all running lights, even in daytime.
Slow down, and list for other boats that may be nearby.
If you have radar, use it to locate objects nearby.

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Small Decisions: Fog

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Dense fog can quickly and unexpectedly reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less. If you find yourself on the road during dense fog event, small decisions could save 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 quarter mile or less. If you find yourself driving through dense fog, small decisions can make a big impact...or save you from one. 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.

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Driving in Fog - Reaction Time

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

Twitter
When fog reduces your visibility while driving, slow down and 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!

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Disabled Vehicle in Dense Fog

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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 walk away from the road if possible. 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 walk away from the road if possible. 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.

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Science of Valley Fog

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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 condense 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 and learn some weather terms to impress your friends! #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.

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Science of Fog Formation (video)

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Fog limits visibility, delays air travel, brings danger to the roads, and makes things generally spooky--but, how does it form? Check this out: 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? Check this out: youtu.be/QkRqjcO1ROk

 

Science of Super Fog

Facebook
What is super fog? Generally, fog is formed by air moving over colder ground, 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
Super fog? More like Soup-er fog! What is it? 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.

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How Fog Forms

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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 and 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 on land, at sea, or in the air: 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.

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Fog Products

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Your local NWS forecast office will issue a Dense Fog Advisory when 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.

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