California starts the morning wrapped in thick valley fog, muting headlights and softening the landscape across the San Joaquin Valley. In and around Hanford, mist hangs low over roadways, creating a cautious start for early commuters and farm traffic.
According to the National Weather Service, patchy dense fog is expected this morning, with visibility dropping to around one mile or less in spots. Some locations may briefly see even lower visibility, especially before mid-morning. Calm winds and high humidity are allowing fog to linger longer than usual.
Drivers on State Route 99 and nearby rural roads should slow down, use low-beam headlights, and allow extra following distance. Fog-related crashes are more common during December mornings, when visibility can change suddenly over short distances. Conditions should gradually improve as sunshine breaks through later this morning.
Temperatures remain cool, with morning readings near 41 to 43 degrees and afternoon highs climbing only into the mid-40s today and Wednesday. While no freeze warning is in effect, cold, damp air may feel brisk during the early hours. Sensitive plants and pets should be protected during the coldest mornings.
By Thursday, clouds linger but highs rebound into the mid-50s. Fog chances decrease slightly, though patchy morning fog remains possible. Light winds and dry conditions dominate through the end of the workweek.
Looking ahead to the extended five-day outlook, Friday through the weekend stays mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. Models hint at a slight rain chance late Saturday into Sunday, signaling a possible pattern change as December progresses. No snow is expected in the valley, but colder air could bring renewed fog and chilly mornings.
Plan extra time for morning travel, stay alert for sudden visibility drops, and embrace winter driving habits as the season settles in.
