Tuesday morning brings another foggy commute for drivers in the Valley.

A dense fog advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. in portions of the central Shenandoah Valley, including Augusta County. The National Weather Service warns drivers that visibility will be one quarter of a mile or less in areas with dense fog.

Low levels of visibility create dangerous driving conditions. The National Weather Service recommends taking the following precautions when traveling in fog:

  1. Drive slowly.
  2. Turn on your headlights, not high beams.
  3. Maintain a safe following distance.
  4. Pay attention to road lines to avoid drifting.
  5. Do not use cruise control.
  6. Minimize distractions.
  7. Pull over if necessary.

Why so much fog?

Foggy conditions are relatively routine year round in the Valley. While some specific regions have their own fog seasons, the Northern Hemisphere tends to see the most valley fog in the fall, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. This is because long, cool nights allow the air near the ground to chill and creates ideal conditions for fog formation.

The cooler air allows water vapor to condense into droplets. You are more likely to see fog at night or near dawn because of the lower temperatures, according to the Farmers' Almanac. In addition, valley areas are often a place for fog to settle because heavier, water-dense air flows downward.

Similar to how there are many types of clouds, there are different types of fog, depending on formation. Regardless of the formation method, it is important to be mindful of fog conditions and related risks, especially when driving. Fog-related traffic accidents cause more annual deaths than other high-profile weather events, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration.

Fog also makes it harder to see animal movement. Deer tend to move the most during dawn and dusk, which is also when fog is more likely. Drive slowly and remain alert to avoid an animal strike. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, animal strikes are more than two times higher than normal in November.


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