Des Moines, IA – The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for much of northern and central Iowa this Thursday morning, warning drivers of visibility reduced to a quarter mile or less through 10 a.m. CDT.
According to the NWS, the advisory affects numerous counties along major travel routes, including Interstate 35, Highway 20, and Highway 30. Cities under the alert include Mason City, Ames, Fort Dodge, Boone, Carroll, and Estherville, among others.
Officials caution that dense fog will make for hazardous driving conditions, particularly in rural areas and near open fields where fog tends to settle most heavily. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, use low-beam headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles.
The fog is expected to lift by mid-morning as temperatures rise and winds increase slightly. Until then, motorists should plan for longer commute times and remain alert for sudden visibility changes.
No additional weather hazards are expected today once fog clears, but overnight lows are forecast to dip near freezing again in some northern areas, prompting continued concern for patchy frost on early Friday.
