Residents in portions of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi were greeted by fog so dense this morning that it cut visibility to less than a quarter-mile; the National Weather Service (NWS) in New Orleans issued a dense fog advisory effective through 10 AM CST.
The foggy conditions, which began to shroud the region earlier today, have been sufficient to prompt safety warnings from local authorities; "Visibility around one quarter mile or less in dense fog," was the advisory's key message, with the potential to impact both the post-holiday return to work and continued seasonal travel, it is a real concern for those driving, they should lower their speed and use their headlights, and maintain a conservative following distance from other vehicles the NWS urges drivers to take precautions to ensure safety on the roads.
According to the National Weather Service's detailed forecast, the weather over the coming days will feature widespread fog, particularly during the mornings, with several chances of showers and thunderstorms continuing into the weekend; today, areas of fog are expected to clear by 11 AM, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with a mild east wind at 5 to 10 mph, while tonight has a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 PM and 1 AM, which adds another layer of complexity for anyone out late.
In addition to the fog advisory, residents should anticipate a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday, and the likelihood of precipitation rises to 70 percent by Saturday; the forecast suggests a mix of clouds and sun with highs ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s over the next few days, which doesn't bode all too poorly for those hoping to spend any new gifts that involve outdoor activities, though they should definitely keep an eye on the sky or, more practically, their local weather updates.
For more information on the conditions as they develop and any additional advisories, locals are advised to visit the National Weather Service website at NWS New Orleans
