California – Headlights fade into gray just beyond the hood this morning as dense fog settles across the southern San Joaquin Valley. Taillights glow and vanish quickly, forcing drivers to slow well below posted speeds on major routes.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until noon for portions of central California. Visibility has dropped to a quarter mile or less, with some areas seeing just 200 feet. The advisory covers a wide stretch of the valley, including Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, and surrounding rural roads.
Travel conditions are most dangerous during the morning hours. Interstate 5, Highway 99, and routes 41, 43, 46, 58, and 198 are all impacted. Sudden visibility drops may occur without warning, especially near open fields, canals, and low-lying areas. Drivers are urged to use low-beam headlights, slow down, and leave extra following distance.
Conditions gradually improve late this morning as clouds thin and fog lifts. By afternoon, skies turn partly sunny, pushing highs into the low 60s around Hanford. To be fair, calmer weather later today may feel like a relief, but lingering moisture could allow fog to redevelop again late tonight.
Looking ahead, a warming trend builds quickly. Tuesday and Wednesday bring mostly sunny skies with highs climbing into the mid-60s, then near 68 degrees by Thursday. That mild February pattern extends into the Feb 6–8 weekend, with dry days and cool nights across much of the valley.
Nationally, the contrast remains sharp. While Arctic air locks the Great Lakes under ice, Central California enjoys quieter conditions once fog clears. Still, fog season is far from over.
If you’re driving this morning, delay travel if possible and avoid sudden lane changes. Seeing thick fog where you are right now? Share what visibility looks like on your route.
Five Day Weather Outlook for Hanford, California
Today: Dense fog early, then partly sunny, high near 61.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 65.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 65.
Thursday: Partly sunny, warmer, high near 68.
Friday: Partly sunny, high near 67.
