Chicago, Illinois – Drivers across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana will face areas of fog early Friday, with pockets of near‑zero visibility possible on rural roads and river valleys. The morning commute could slow on major routes including I‑55, I‑57, I‑80, I‑90/94, and I‑65 as the haze lingers into mid‑morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, areas of fog will persist through daybreak and gradually lift by mid‑morning. Patchy dense fog is most likely outside urban cores, including stretches near Kankakee, Pontiac, Watseka, and along portions of the Des Plaines and Kankakee river corridors, as well as Gary, Merrillville, Valparaiso, and DeMotte.
IDOT and INDOT urge caution on bridges and low‑lying spots where visibility can drop quickly. Use low‑beam headlights, slow down, and add extra following distance. In Chicago and the south suburbs including Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Orland Park, expect variable visibility that can change block to block. School drop‑offs and early flights may see minor delays.
Most sites should improve late morning as mixing increases. If fog redevelops over outlying areas, additional statements are possible. Keep alerts enabled and check roadside message boards before departure.
