Greenville-Spartanburg, SC – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dense fog advisory for parts of Upstate South Carolina and the Piedmont and Foothills of western North Carolina. The alert was issued at 9:15 p.m. Monday and remains in effect until 2:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Drivers in the region are being urged to exercise caution as patches of dense fog are expected to form overnight and linger into the early morning hours, creating potentially dangerous travel conditions.
Areas Covered by the Advisory
The advisory affects a broad swath of counties across both states, including:
- South Carolina: Greater Caldwell, Greater Burke, Eastern McDowell, Greater Rutherford, Eastern Polk
- North Carolina: Alexander, Iredell, Davie, Catawba, Rowan, Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union
Forecasters note that fog could become more widespread overnight, reducing visibility significantly and making it difficult to see other vehicles or road hazards.
NWS Guidance for Drivers
The National Weather Service provided specific safety guidance for those traveling in foggy conditions:
- Reduce speed: Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.
- Visibility priority: Use low-beam headlights and fog lights (if equipped) to ensure your vehicle is visible.
- Avoid high beams: High beams can create glare that impairs visibility.
- Maintain safe gaps: Keep extra distance between vehicles to account for sudden stops or changes in traffic.
- Stay in your lane: Follow road lane markings closely.
- Zero visibility strategy: In extremely dense fog, activate hazard lights and pull into a safe location, such as a business parking lot.
- No parking options: If no lot is available, pull as far off the road as possible, activate hazard lights, and set the emergency brake while keeping tail lights off to prevent collisions.
Officials emphasized that fog can reduce visibility to near-zero, making driving particularly hazardous. Following these recommendations can help reduce the risk of accidents and ensure safety for all road users.
Travel Advisory
Motorists are urged to remain alert overnight, especially in areas prone to low visibility. Conditions could affect commuters, delivery vehicles, and emergency responders, so drivers should plan ahead and allow extra time for travel.
Residents are also reminded to monitor local forecasts and traffic reports, as fog patterns can shift quickly, impacting some areas more severely than others.
Are roads in your area affected by dense fog tonight? How are you navigating the low-visibility conditions? Share your experiences and safety tips in the comments below.
