Seattle residents waking up to a blanket of dense fog must exercise caution this morning. The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Dense Fog Advisory that is in effect until 10 AM PST today. Motorists are urged to drive carefully as visibility is reduced to a mere quarter to one-half mile in areas under the dense, shroud-like fog.
According to the advisory, various regions, including the Hood Canal Area, Bellevue and Vicinity, Bremerton and Vicinity, Everett and Vicinity, Seattle and Vicinity, Southwest Interior, and Tacoma Area, are all enveloped in this early December fog. Drivers should be aware that the combination of dense and freezing fog may lead to black ice on roads due to the current sub-freezing temperatures. This hidden hazard can cause vehicles to lose traction suddenly and without warning.
The National Weather Service states, "Visibility one quarter to one half mile in areas of dense fog and freezing fog." These conditions threaten drivers and concern pedestrians and anyone engaging in the morning commute. In typical Seattle fashion, the city's already challenging topography can only complicate these hazardous weather effects.
While the fog is expected to lift after 10 AM, residents should remain vigilant as the day progresses. The fog adds another layer of complexity to a forecast that predicts a mostly sunny day with highs reaching 45 degrees. As the city transitions into the evening, the skies will become partly cloudy, and temperatures will drop to around 35 degrees, making the chilly air a consistent companion for anyone stepping out.
The weather pattern takes a turn Thursday, with an overcast sky leading to a most likely rainy Friday, as detailed by the service forecast. What begins as a 30 percent chance of rain in the afternoon grows into an 80 percent chance by Friday night. Seattle is no stranger to rain or the ebb and flow of inclement weather—from the opaque fog of morning to the inevitable descent of twilight's drizzle, the city knows how to endure and adapt.
For now, the message for the good people of the Emerald City is simple: slow down, use your headlights, and allow ample distance between you and other road users during these obscured conditions. Stay alert and safe as the city weathers another one of its infamous foggy starts.
