Copyright Newsweek
Drivers in parts of Kentucky and Ohio have been warned by the National Weather Service (NWS) that they could face hazardous driving conditions, with visibility that "may approach zero," into early Monday morning, thanks to dense fog across multiple counties. Why It Matters The patchy, locally dense fog, especially across higher elevations and in typical valley and fog-prone areas, has reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less in several regions, prompting officials to urge people to exercise extra caution when driving. Poor visibility like this can lead to slower traffic, sudden braking, and increased chances of collisions, raising concerns for morning commuters and travelers throughout the affected regions. What To Know In eastern Kentucky, fog has developed overnight on Sunday, particularly in higher, mountainous areas such as the Bell, Harlan, Letcher, and Leslie Counties. Plus, cities including London, Corbin, Hazard, Pikeville, and Williamsburg could see visibility dropping below a quarter mile. The NWS has warned northern and central Kentucky counties, including Jefferson, Hancock, Oldham, and Trimble, that light winds, wet ground, and clearing skies could result in patchy dense fog in places through Monday morning. Some central and west-central Ohio counties—such as Hardin, Logan, Union, Delaware, Champaign, and Clark—and cities—including Marysville, Delaware, and Newark—are also likely to be affected by dense fog, leading to reduced visibility, especially in valleys and low-lying areas, and the NWS has urged drivers to “be aware of the potential for rapidly changing visibility and adjust your driving habits accordingly.” The NWS has issued the following safety advice for drivers who have to travel during dense fog: Slow down and allow for extra time. Avoid using high-beam headlights, as this will cause glare, making it even harder to see. Instead, use low-beam headlights or fog lights, which will also make the vehicle more visible to traffic. Leave plenty of distance between the vehicle in front, in case of sudden braking. Where visibility is near zero, pull into a safe location and wait for the fog to clear. If this is on the roadside edge, turn off the headlights and turn on the hazard lights. Follow road markings to stay in lane. What People Are Saying For those in affected areas, the NWS has said: “If traveling early this morning, be alert for sudden changes in visibilities. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.” The NWS for Louisville, Kentucky, said: “The combination of light winds, wet ground, and clearing skies will set the stage for fog development this morning. Visibilities across Kentucky are likely to vary over short distances where fog develops. Visibilities may drop to a quarter of a mile in the typical valley and fog-prone locations.” What Happens Next The NWS expects this fog to persist through late Monday morning, gradually improving as temperatures rise and the sun breaks through. Travelers are encouraged to check local weather updates for the latest on visibility and road conditions.
