Fresno, CA – Drivers across Fresno and much of the San Joaquin Valley are being urged to use extreme caution Monday morning as dense fog reduces visibility and creates hazardous travel conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Monday, as low cloud ceilings continue to lower overnight. Visibility across Fresno and surrounding communities is expected to drop to one-quarter mile or less, with some locations briefly falling below that threshold during the early morning hours.
Forecasters say the fog poses a moderate transportation risk, particularly during the Monday morning commute. Highways and rural roads throughout the San Joaquin Valley, including areas near Fresno, Bakersfield, and Visalia, could see sudden visibility drops, making it difficult for drivers to see stopped traffic ahead.
Officials recommend motorists slow down, use low-beam headlights, and leave extra space between vehicles. The use of high beams is discouraged, as they can reflect off the fog and further reduce visibility. Drivers should also be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, especially near rivers, low-lying areas, and agricultural fields.
The advisory covers both valley floors and nearby coastal ranges, where dense fog may linger longer due to terrain effects. Conditions are expected to gradually improve late Monday morning as cloud ceilings lift and fog begins to dissipate.
Despite improving visibility later in the day, officials warn that fog could redevelop again during overnight and early morning hours later this week if calm winds and moist conditions persist.
Residents planning early travel Monday are encouraged to check road conditions before heading out and allow extra time to reach their destinations safely.
Stay tuned to local weather updates and advisories as conditions evolve across central California.
