Marion, Va. – Drivers in Smyth and Tazewell counties are waking up to thick fog Friday morning that’s cutting visibility to a quarter mile or less along key routes.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. EDT, impacting cities like Marion and Tazewell. Visibility may dip to between one-quarter and one-half mile in some areas, especially along U.S. Route 19 and State Route 16.
Motorists should slow down, use low-beam headlights, and allow extra space between vehicles. Conditions are particularly dangerous on rural roads, bridges, and higher elevations, where fog can become patchy and unpredictable.
The advisory comes during the early morning commute, a high-traffic period for many Southwest Virginians. School summer programs and local deliveries may be delayed or slowed due to reduced visibility.
This is the fifth fog advisory issued in the region this month—a common occurrence in the Blue Ridge foothills during humid summer mornings.
Conditions are expected to improve by mid-morning, but officials urge caution until visibility clears.
