Bay Area residents experienced a murky start to their day with dense fog advisories in effect until 8 AM for regions including Monterey Bay, Salinas Valley, and the Big Sur coast today. The NWS Bay Area urged commuters to exhibit extra caution during the morning rush due to the reduced visibility across the affected areas.
A dense fog advisory is in effect until 8 AM for the Monterey Bay, Salinas Valley, and Big Sur coast.
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) September 27, 2024
⚠️Use caution on the morning commute⚠️ pic.twitter.com/MnaRTZEpWs
The advisories, also detailed by NWS San Francisco Bay Area, indicated that stations south of Santa Cruz were trapped under a low stratus or dense fog, a condition expected to persist until daytime heating aids in its dissipation. Due to visibility dropping to a quarter mile at times, those traveling through these areas were advised to drive slowly and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
This morning, the stratus brought LIFR (Low Instrument Flight Rules) conditions to Monterey Bay terminals for the aviation sector. However, with conditions forecasted to clear towards sunrise, travelers can expect flights to operate with fewer weather-related disruptions as the day progresses. The marine layer, pressed flat to about 500 ft by a high-pressure ridge, is responsible for the current suppressed visibility.
According to the National Weather Service report, a reprieve is on the horizon as "cooler, more seasonal weather is in store this weekend. " Nevertheless, offshore wind is expected to move in early next week, which could elevate fire concerns due to hotter and drier weather. Inland areas are projected to see temperatures rocket into the low 100s, while coastal areas may also experience unseasonably warm conditions.
Boaters and mariners haven't escaped the fog's clutch either. Dense fog advisories were issued for waters around Monterey Bay, impacting the morning sea traffic as well. Wave height and rough seas are predicted to continue well into the weekend, and mariners are encouraged to exercise caution. Those seeking the latest updates on maritime conditions can check the NWS website, as fresh northwesterly winds are expected to persist.
