California – Taillights blur into a gray wall this morning as dense fog blankets the San Joaquin Valley, sharply reducing visibility and turning routine drives hazardous before sunrise. In some areas, visibility drops to a quarter mile or less, leaving little reaction time for drivers.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. across much of the valley, including Hanford, Fresno, Visalia, Merced, Bakersfield, and surrounding communities. Calm winds and saturated air have allowed fog to thicken overnight, especially near open farmland and low-lying roadways.
Visibility near Hanford Municipal Airport has dropped to around one-tenth of a mile at times. Highways affected include Route 41, Highway 99, Routes 43, 46, 58, 140, 152, 168, 180, and 198. Sudden slowdowns are likely, particularly near intersections and rural stretches where fog density changes quickly.
Drivers should slow down, use low-beam headlights, and increase following distance. Stopping on road shoulders is discouraged, as approaching vehicles may not see parked cars until too late. School buses, early commuters, and agricultural traffic face the greatest risk during the morning hours.
Fog gradually lifts late this morning as temperatures rise into the upper 60s this afternoon. Tonight stays mostly cloudy, with improving visibility. Early next week trends warmer, with highs near 58 Monday and low 60s by Tuesday. Rain chances increase Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, helping scour lingering fog but bringing slick roads instead.
Nationally, a deep Arctic air mass continues to grip the eastern U.S., while California remains mild by comparison. That contrast supports a more active pattern midweek, followed by a broader warming trend late next week that hints at early spring conditions.
Driving this morning? Let us know where fog remains thick in your area.
Five-Day Outlook for Hanford, California
- Today: Dense fog early, clearing late morning, high near 67°F
- Monday: Cloudy, mild, high near 58°F
- Tuesday: Rain likely after afternoon, high near 61°F
- Wednesday: Chance of rain, partial clearing, high near 59°F
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, cooler morning, high near 58°F
