California – Headlights fade into a gray blur across the San Joaquin Valley as dense tule fog settles over fields, farm roads, and major corridors. Visibility shrinks fast, sometimes to just a few car lengths, and damp pavement turns slick before drivers realize it.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through early afternoon. Visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less, with isolated pockets falling near 200 feet. The advisory covers Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Visalia, and stretches of Highway 99 and Interstate 5, where sudden slowdowns are common.
Travel impacts stack up quickly during fog events like this. Drivers should expect delayed commutes, reduced reaction time, and slick spots where moisture settles on cooler pavement. Use low-beam headlights, slow down, and leave extra following distance. To be fair, conditions gradually improve later in the day as sunshine breaks through, but fog reforms easily after dark.
The weekend pattern favors repeat performances. Saturday and Sunday bring mild afternoons near the low 60s, followed by patchy to widespread fog during late night and morning hours. Calm winds and saturated air allow fog to thicken again before sunrise, especially near rivers, canals, and open farmland.
Nighttime lows dip into the low 40s, which is cool enough for lingering dampness on roads. While freezing is not expected, slick surfaces remain possible during early drives. Plan errands for midday when visibility improves, and build extra time into weekend travel.
Looking ahead, fog remains a recurring January feature across the Valley, even as temperatures trend slightly warmer next week.
Five-Day Outlook for Hanford, CA
Friday: Morning dense fog, then mostly sunny, high near 61.
Saturday: Fog early, then mostly sunny, high near 63.
Sunday: Patchy fog, mostly cloudy, high near 62.
Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 61.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 62.
