Union County, New Mexico – Headlights fade into a gray blur as freezing fog settles across northeastern New Mexico early this morning, creating slick and dangerous travel conditions before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, a Freezing Fog Advisory remains in effect for Union County until 7 a.m. MST. Visibility may drop to one-quarter mile or less, making it difficult for drivers to see vehicles, intersections, or wildlife along rural roadways.
Freezing fog occurs when supercooled moisture condenses onto road surfaces, bridges, and overpasses, creating thin layers of ice that are hard to detect. Even where pavement appears merely damp, slick spots can form quickly, especially on lightly traveled roads.
Residents traveling early this morning should expect hazardous driving conditions, particularly on U.S. Highway 56, U.S. Highway 64, and farm-to-market roads throughout the county. School bus routes and early-morning commuters may be affected until fog dissipates later this morning.
The advisory is expected to expire by 7 a.m., as temperatures gradually rise and fog lifts. After conditions improve, skies turn clearer with calmer travel expected through the rest of the day. No additional precipitation is expected once the fog clears.
However, with December temperatures hovering near freezing overnight, similar fog events could return on future mornings. Drivers are urged to maintain a winter-weather mindset as holiday travel ramps up this week.
