California – A thick wall of fog hangs over farm roads and orchards across the San Joaquin Valley this morning, dimming headlights and flattening the horizon into a gray veil. Moisture beads on windshields, and the air feels cold and still at 41°F around Hanford as residents step outside to begin their day. Visibility drops sharply in pockets, creating sudden whiteouts on open stretches of highway.
According to the National Weather Service, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m., with visibility frequently slipping to a quarter mile or less. This early-winter pattern is typical for the Valley when overnight moisture pools under calm winds and a strong inversion traps cold, saturated air at ground level. Meteorologists warn that driving conditions may deteriorate quickly, especially during the morning commute.
Highways at greatest risk include Interstate 5, along with CA-41, CA-43, CA-46, CA-58, CA-99, CA-152, CA-168, and CA-180. Drivers should slow down, keep headlights on, and leave extra distance when traveling toward Fresno, Lemoore, Visalia, or rural stretches between communities. Sudden drops in visibility can catch motorists off guard—plan extra time if you must be on the road.
Skies stay mostly cloudy today with highs near 49°F. Tuesday trends slightly warmer with highs near 52°F, and fog may redevelop early in the day before lifting. Wednesday brings partial sun and highs in the upper 50s, offering the best visibility of the week before clouds return Thursday.
Toward the weekend, models hint at weak disturbances sliding in from the Pacific, bringing small chances for light rain Friday and Saturday. While precipitation looks limited, any moisture may help disrupt dense fog formation during the early mornings.
Five-Day Outlook (Hanford, CA)
• Today: Dense fog early, mostly cloudy. High 49.
• Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low 42.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 52.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 58.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High 57.
• Friday: Slight rain chance. High 49.
