Ottumwa, Iowa – Morning commuters across southeast Iowa are facing hazardous driving conditions Tuesday due to areas of patchy dense fog reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile in some locations.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines and Quad Cities, foggy conditions will persist until around 9 a.m., significantly impacting visibility along highways and local roads. The affected counties include Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello, Appanoose, Davis, Keokuk, Washington, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Van Buren, and Lee.
Cities like Ottumwa, Bloomfield, Centerville, Newton, Grinnell, Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Albia, Sigourney, Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, and Burlington are experiencing patchy dense fog, increasing the risk of accidents during the busy morning commute.
Drivers are strongly advised to use low-beam headlights, maintain safe following distances, and reduce their speed. Sudden reductions in visibility could occur, particularly near rivers and low-lying rural areas.
This foggy pattern typically lifts by mid-morning. Conditions are expected to improve gradually after 9 a.m. Travelers are encouraged to stay updated on weather developments through local forecasts, as similar conditions could recur this week.
