Hanford, CA – A heavy fog settles low over the San Joaquin Valley this morning, dimming headlights and blurring fields as drivers creep along Highway 198 and Route 43. The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for the region, in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday, warning of visibility dropping below a quarter mile at times — especially in rural and low-lying areas.
Early Thanksgiving travelers should prepare for slow traffic, delayed flights, and limited visibility through much of the morning. Conditions are expected to improve gradually this afternoon as partial sunshine breaks through and temperatures climb toward 55°F.
Thanksgiving Day brings continued fog early, followed by partly sunny skies and mild highs near 61°F — calm and pleasant for gatherings or travel later in the day. Fog may redevelop late Thursday into Friday morning before clearing to sunny skies for the holiday weekend.
While Central California stays dry, meteorologists are watching a major Arctic front sweeping across the northern U.S. beginning December 1. The system is expected to bring heavy snow, subfreezing temperatures, and blizzard conditions across the Midwest and Great Lakes — potentially affecting post-Thanksgiving return travel.
Locally, Hanford’s weather remains steady: cool mornings, patchy fog, and calm afternoons through early next week — ideal for outdoor decorating or family gatherings. Still, drivers should stay alert during morning commutes, when fog remains thickest and travel slowdowns are most likely.
5-Day Outlook for Hanford:
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high 55°F
- Thursday (Thanksgiving): Dense fog early, high 61°F
- Friday: Patchy fog, sunny, high 61°F
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 58°F
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 61°F
