Indianapolis woke up in a cloud Monday morning, with thick fog and near-freezing temperatures slowing traffic to a crawl across the metro area. Visibility sank to roughly a quarter mile in many spots, and some drivers reported patchy, near-zero conditions that turned the morning commute into a white-knuckle ride. A Dense Fog Advisory remains in place through mid-morning, with forecasters expecting the murkiest conditions to ease by late morning as winds pick up. Temperatures will rebound from near freezing into the upper 50s by afternoon, giving the city a brief taste of spring before breezier weather settles in later this week.
Dense Fog Advisory This Morning
The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 10 AM Monday, warning that visibility could drop to one-quarter mile or less and urging drivers to use low-beam headlights and leave extra stopping distance. Airports, early flights and the Monday rush hour could all see delays or low-instrument conditions until the fog finally mixes out. Commuters are urged to treat every intersection and merge as a potential surprise.
Fog to Fade, Afternoon Warm Up
Most of the fog should lift by midday as a light south-southwest breeze develops and breaks in high clouds help mix out the low-level moisture. Forecasters expect a high near 58°F this afternoon with south-southwest winds generally 2 to 9 mph and gusts into the teens. Plan a little extra time this morning where dense patches and wet pavement linger, then expect a much more seasonable feel by the afternoon trip home.
Midweek Warmth and Gusty Winds
A stronger southerly flow will nudge temperatures into the upper 60s by Wednesday, with a chance of showers late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Gusts up to around 35 mph are possible Wednesday afternoon, so it may be a good idea to secure loose outdoor items and be ready for some two-hand-on-the-wheel travel. Forecasters also note a modest chance for isolated thunderstorms later in the week. You can track the latest updates from the National Weather Service.
What To Watch
If you must drive this morning, slow down, use low beams and leave extra room. Bridges and underpasses can hide sudden pockets of near-zero visibility that sneak up on you fast. We flagged this mild and blustery pattern in our Sunday outlook; for more background on how we got here, check out Rain Taps Out, Fog Punches In As Indy Eyes Blustery Midweek Heat.
