Sacramento Valley commuters woke up to a thick blanket of fog Thursday morning, with temperatures stuck in the mid-40s and visibility in some spots down to only a few hundred meters. Drivers can expect slower trips and sluggish starts for any early outdoor plans until the low clouds finally lift later in the day.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
The widespread fog is expected to hang around through the early commute before burning off by mid to late morning. Once it clears, sunshine should return with an afternoon high near 69°F and light north-northwest winds.
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for the northern San Joaquin Valley through noon Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Within the advisory area, pockets of visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less.
What Drivers Should Do
If you need to be on the road, slow down, stick with low-beam headlights and leave extra space for braking. Avoid stopping on freeway shoulders and be ready for sudden changes in visibility. Similar fog safety guidance, along with a reminder to check conditions before heading out, comes from Caltrans District 3, which also offers real-time updates through its district pages.
Looking Ahead
Patchy fog is likely to redevelop overnight and again each morning through Saturday, while afternoons stay mild in the mid-60s. Confidence is growing in a pattern change late this weekend that could bring a slight chance of light rain starting Sunday into early next week, so keep an eye on forecasts if you have outdoor plans later in the week.
