Freezing fog is expected to create hazardous driving conditions Wednesday morning along major roadways in eastern Oklahoma.
According to the National Weather Service office in Tulsa, a Freezing Fog Advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday for portions of eastern Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas. Visibility may drop to one-half mile or less, and temperatures below freezing could allow fog droplets to freeze on contact with roads, bridges, and overpasses.
Forecasters warn that slick spots may develop quickly, particularly along major travel corridors including I-44, I-40, US-69, and I-540, where early-morning commuters and commercial drivers may encounter rapidly changing conditions. The advisory includes areas near Tulsa, Muskogee, McAlester, and Fort Smith, as well as surrounding rural highways.
Freezing fog can be especially dangerous because visibility reductions may occur suddenly over short distances. Drivers could transition from clear conditions into dense fog within seconds, significantly increasing the risk of crashes. Elevated surfaces such as bridges and ramps are most susceptible to icing during freezing fog events.
The National Weather Service advises motorists to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and leave extra distance between vehicles. Travelers should also be alert for black ice, which may not be visible on untreated roadways. Those who can delay travel until later Wednesday morning may encounter improving conditions as temperatures rise and fog dissipates.
Residents are also encouraged to monitor local forecasts and roadway conditions before heading out, especially those traveling for work, school, or medical appointments during the advisory window.
The freezing fog is expected to gradually lift by mid to late morning as temperatures warm above freezing. No additional precipitation is expected immediately after the advisory expires, but lingering slick spots may remain in shaded or low-lying areas.
