Washington – Headlights glow like soft halos this morning as dense fog blankets the Puget Sound region, swallowing intersections and hiding familiar landmarks. Visibility drops quickly along city streets and highways, creating a slow and cautious start to New Year’s Day across Seattle and surrounding communities.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until mid-morning, with visibility reduced to a quarter mile or less in parts of northwest and west-central Washington. The advisory covers Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Bremerton, and nearby lowlands, where saturated air sits trapped near the surface.
The fog has already complicated early travel. Drivers along I-5, I-405, and Highway 99 are encountering sudden visibility changes, especially near water, valleys, and low-lying neighborhoods. Airports, including Boeing Field, may see delays as planes move through thick fog layers. Slower speeds and extra following distance are essential through the morning hours.
Temperatures hover in the mid-30s, and while widespread icing is not expected, damp pavement can still feel slick in shaded areas. As the fog lifts later today, clouds linger and rain chances increase into tonight and Friday, marking a return to a wetter pattern for the start of 2026.
Rain becomes more consistent heading into the weekend, keeping roads wet and visibility reduced at times. Daytime temperatures climb into the low 50s, but persistent moisture may keep mornings gray and murky.
Additional advisories are possible as conditions evolve. Driving early or commuting later today? Share what visibility looks like in your neighborhood.
Five-Day Outlook for Seattle, Washington
• New Year’s Day: Dense fog early, chance of rain later, high near 44°F
• Friday: Rain likely, high near 50°F
• Saturday: Periods of rain, high near 52°F
• Sunday: Rain likely, high near 51°F
• Monday: Chance of rain, cooler, high near 49°F
