California – Headlights fade into a gray wall this morning as dense fog blankets the San Joaquin Valley. Visibility drops to a quarter mile or less in places, turning familiar roads into slow-moving corridors of brake lights and caution.
A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect across the valley through late morning, including Hanford, Lemoore, Visalia, and surrounding communities. Calm winds and saturated air allowed fog to thicken before sunrise, creating hazardous driving conditions during the busiest travel hours.
According to the National Weather Service, drivers should expect sudden visibility changes, especially along rural highways and agricultural corridors. Highway 198, State Route 41, and smaller farm roads may feel particularly dangerous where fog settles deepest. Slow speeds, headlights, and extra following distance are strongly advised.
Fog gradually thins by midday as temperatures rise toward 50 degrees. While conditions improve later today, clouds linger and set the stage for a wetter pattern midweek. A chance of rain arrives Wednesday, increasing into Wednesday night and continuing toward New Year’s Day 2026.
By New Year’s Day, rain becomes more widespread across Kings County and the broader San Joaquin Valley. Wet roads combined with lingering low clouds could once again reduce visibility, especially during early morning and evening travel. Some storms later this week may include brief downpours, adding slick pavement to the mix.
Looking ahead to the first weekend of 2026, showers remain likely at times, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 50s. While fog risk decreases once rain arrives, wet roadways and ponding could slow holiday travel.
Drivers should plan extra time this morning, avoid sudden stops, and remain alert for slow-moving traffic. Traveling today or later this week? Share what visibility looks like where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Hanford, California
Today: Dense fog early, cloudy, high near 50
Wednesday: Chance of rain, high near 50
New Year’s Day 2026 (Thursday): Rain likely, high near 56
Friday: Showers likely, high near 58
Saturday: Chance of rain, high near 55
