Des Moines, Iowa – Drivers across Iowa faced reduced visibility Monday morning as patchy dense fog developed before sunrise, with southeastern parts of the state seeing the worst conditions. Some areas reported visibility down to a quarter mile or less, triggering a Dense Fog Advisory until 9 a.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, the advisory covers southeastern Iowa, including cities like Ottumwa, Fairfield, and Keokuk. Elsewhere, visibility ranged between 3 and 5 miles. The fog is expected to gradually lift after sunrise, improving travel conditions statewide.
Motorists are urged to use low-beam headlights, reduce speed, and allow extra distance between vehicles—especially on highways like U.S. 34, Highway 63, and Interstate 80, where fog pockets are limiting visibility. School transportation and early commutes may be briefly affected, though delays are not widespread.
This morning’s advisory is part of a typical mid-July pattern, where humid overnight lows and light winds promote fog formation. It follows a weekend of calm weather across much of the state.
Conditions are expected to improve steadily after 7 a.m., with full visibility likely restored by mid-morning. No additional advisories are anticipated at this time.
