San Francisco Bay Area commuters woke up to a pea-soup fog this morning, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM PST. Visibility was choked down to less than a quarter-mile, making morning drives a guessing game for many. The NWS warned drivers to "slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you" due to the treacherous driving conditions.
Navigating through the misty conditions was not only advised, but essential for safety. An advisory from the NWS Forecast Office in San Francisco cautioned residents of the North Bay Interior Valleys that visibility would be less than one-quarter mile in the dense fog. The NWS Bay Area office also took to X post to instruct drivers that if they must hit the road, they should prepare for rapidly lowering visibility and to employ low-beam headlights and an abundance of caution.
Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 11 am PST today. If driving this morning be prepared for quickly lowering visibility to less than 1/4 mile. Please slow down, use low beam headlights and leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles on the roadways. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/ifyEZ8mAHf
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) January 18, 2024
The National Weather Service San Francisco, CA, reports that once the valleys clear, the stage is set for a series of rain systems moving in Friday and Sunday with moderate to heavy rainfall periods. With grounds already saturated, this procession of precipitation heightens the risk of flash flooding and landslides—a sobering possibility for a region acquainted with the caprices of nature.
Looking ahead, the NWS has disclosed plans for taking the region under a clammy embrace. Residents can expect "rapid rises on rivers, streams, and creeks," and those living near hillside areas should be wary of potential landslides. With much of the Bay Area soil reaching saturation, minor and nuisance flooding is also anticipated.
