Weather
Southeast Michigan Weather Alert: Dense Fog Threatens I-94, I-96 Morning Travel Oct 25
Detroit, MI – Thick fog spreading across southeast Michigan is creating hazardous driving conditions Sunday morning, Oct. 25, with visibility potentially dropping to one quarter mile or less along maj
By Rachel Monroe · 2026-10-25T08:39:34.868Z
Detroit, MI – Thick fog spreading across southeast Michigan is creating hazardous driving conditions Sunday morning, Oct. 25, with visibility potentially dropping to one quarter mile or less along major highways and neighborhood roads. The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory through 10 a.m. EDT, covering Detroit and surrounding communities as fog expands northward and eastward. Motorists traveling Interstate 94, Interstate 96 and Interstate 69 face the possibility of sharply reduced visibility before conditions gradually improve later in the morning.
According to the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac office, the advisory was issued at 3:03 a.m. Sunday for portions of southeast Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, Lenawee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Shiawassee and Sanilac counties. Meteorologists warned that dense fog could reduce visibility to one quarter mile or less, making driving hazardous. The advisory specifically identifies the I 94 and I 96 corridors across metro Detroit and areas extending toward I 69 and the Lake Huron shoreline.
Dense Fog Creates Hazardous Conditions Across Metro Detroit The most immediate concern is the possibility of rapidly changing visibility along major transportation routes. Drivers could encounter relatively clear stretches of pavement before entering thicker fog that obscures vehicles, intersections and roadway markings. Conditions may be especially challenging along highways where higher travel speeds leave motorists less time to react to sudden changes in visibility.
At Coleman A. Young Municipal Airport in Detroit, observations recorded at 3:53 a.m. showed fog and mist, a temperature of 43 degrees and relative humidity of 97%. Winds were calm, providing conditions favorable for fog persistence. The airport reported visibility of 6 miles at that observation time, illustrating how conditions can vary between individual locations even while a broader regional advisory remains in effect.
The National Weather Service recommends slowing down, using low beam headlights and leaving additional distance between vehicles. High beams can reflect off suspended water droplets and make visibility worse. Motorists should also avoid abrupt braking when possible and remain attentive to traffic ahead, particularly when approaching highway ramps, intersections and construction zones.
Fog May Return Before Monday Morning Commute Although the Dense Fog Advisory is scheduled to expire at 10 a.m. Sunday, the forecast indicates another period of patchy fog could develop early Monday. Areas of dense fog are expected before 10 a.m. Sunday, followed by partly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 68 degrees. Winds should remain relatively light, becoming southwest around 6 mph during the afternoon.
Sunday night brings partly cloudy skies and temperatures falling to approximately 47 degrees, with patchy fog possible after 2 a.m. Monday. That creates another potential visibility concern for motorists traveling before sunrise, although the supplied forecast does not establish that Monday's fog will reach Sunday's advisory level severity.
Monday morning fog is expected to diminish before 9 a.m., allowing partly sunny conditions to develop. Temperatures should reach approximately 67 degrees before northeast winds increase to around 6 mph during the afternoon. Monday night becomes mostly cloudy, with a low near 45 degrees and northeast winds of 7 to 9 mph.
Midweek Weather Brings Cooler Temperatures, Then a Warmup By Tuesday, Oct. 27, southeast Michigan should experience a cooler afternoon, with temperatures reaching approximately 61 degrees under partly sunny skies. Tuesday night turns mostly cloudy, with temperatures falling to around 47 degrees.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, brings improving temperatures and partly sunny skies, with an afternoon high near 69 degrees. Wednesday night remains partly cloudy, with temperatures settling near 54 degrees.
The warming trend continues Thursday, when mostly sunny skies and temperatures near 72 degrees are expected. Friday and Saturday should remain relatively mild, with afternoon highs near 70 degrees.
No additional significant weather hazard is identified in the supplied Detroit point forecast after the early week fog threat. However, commuters should monitor updated visibility conditions before traveling, particularly during the early morning hours when fog can redevelop.
Did dense fog affect your morning commute along I 94, I 96 or another southeast Michigan highway?
Five Day Weather Outlook Sunday 10/25: Areas of dense fog are expected before 10 a.m., followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 68 degrees; Sunday night brings patchy fog after 2 a.m. and temperatures near 47 degrees.
Monday 10/26: Patchy fog is possible before 9 a.m., followed by partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching approximately 67 degrees; northeast winds develop during the afternoon before mostly cloudy skies and a low near 45 degrees.
Tuesday 10/27: Partly sunny skies are expected across Detroit, with afternoon temperatures reaching approximately 61 degrees, making Tuesday the coolest daytime period in the five day outlook; mostly cloudy conditions follow Tuesday night, with a low near 47 degrees.
Wednesday 10/28: Partly sunny conditions return as temperatures rebound to approximately 69 degrees, offering milder afternoon weather across the metropolitan area; Wednesday night becomes partly cloudy, with temperatures falling to around 54 degrees.
Thursday 10/29: Mostly sunny skies and temperatures near 72 degrees are expected across Detroit, continuing the midweek warming trend; Thursday night becomes partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to approximately 51 degrees.
Extended Weather Outlook Friday, Oct. 30, is expected to bring mostly sunny skies and temperatures near 70 degrees, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a nighttime low around 53 degrees.
Saturday, Oct. 31, should remain partly sunny, with an afternoon high near 70 degrees, providing a relatively mild outlook for Halloween activities.
The supplied forecast does not establish additional significant weather hazards or reliable conditions beyond Saturday.