Ritzville, WA – Drivers across the Ritzville area faced hazardous travel conditions early Wednesday as dense fog significantly reduced visibility during the morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, webcams showed very dense fog developing around Ritzville shortly after sunrise. Officials warned motorists to drive cautiously and remain alert for rapidly changing visibility conditions, particularly on rural highways and open stretches of road common throughout Adams County.
The fog is expected to gradually lift as the morning progresses, but visibility may remain limited in low-lying areas and open farmland where fog can linger longer. Reduced visibility increases the risk of crashes, especially at intersections and along highways such as U.S. Route 395 and nearby county roads.
Weather officials recommend drivers slow down, allow extra following distance, and use low-beam headlights rather than high beams, which can reflect off fog and further impair vision. Pedestrians and farm vehicles may also be harder to spot in these conditions.
Ritzville sits along a frequent fog corridor in Eastern Washington, particularly during colder mornings when calm winds and residual moisture combine to trap low clouds near the surface. Similar conditions can also impact nearby communities across Adams County and parts of the broader Spokane region.
No road closures or crash-related shutdowns were immediately reported Wednesday morning, but officials urge commuters to check local traffic conditions before heading out and to delay travel if visibility becomes dangerously low.
Drivers traveling longer distances across Eastern Washington should remain alert for pockets of fog that may appear suddenly, even after conditions improve closer to town.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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