Galena, Ill. – Drivers across northern Illinois should expect hazardous travel conditions this morning as dense fog blankets much of the region, cutting visibility to a quarter mile in places.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 8 a.m. CDT Wednesday for Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Henry, Bureau, and Putnam counties. Areas including Freeport, Galena, Sterling, and Princeton are all impacted.
Visibility may change rapidly over short distances, particularly on rural highways like U.S. Route 20 and Illinois Route 40, where morning commuters could face near-zero sightlines. The NWS urges drivers to use low-beam headlights, slow down, and increase following distance when encountering foggy stretches.
This advisory comes during peak travel hours and could delay school programs, deliveries, or early morning flights from regional airports. No additional advisories have been issued yet, but forecasters are monitoring for lingering low visibility through mid-morning.
Motorists should check local traffic alerts and delay non-essential travel if possible. The fog is expected to lift shortly after sunrise.
