Patchy, Dense Fog Possible Again Friday Morning

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — More patchy, dense fog like the pea soup-thick stuff that rolled in Thursday morning, closing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for hours, is again a possibility Friday morning.

While only time will tell if fog will develop enough to force another bridge closing, the National Weather Service says motorists should be prepared to encounter some areas with low visibility overnight Thursday and into the early morning hours Friday.

Although one more day of fog is possible, meteorologist Tom Doughtery said there is good news, of sorts, on the horizon.

“We’re working our way out of it,” he said. A cold front is expected to move into the region Friday. While that cold front will bring rain and thunderstorm chances with it, fog should move out of the forecast with its arrival. On the upside, temperatures are expected to cool back down on Sunday and into the early part of next week with a high only in the upper 60s expected Monday.

Since the storms haven’t arrived just yet, the Florida Highway Patrol is sharing some safety tips its troopers want motorists to know about for driving more safely in low-visibility conditions:

• Drive slow – “Visibility can change within seconds, so use extreme caution when driving,” Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in an email to media. That extreme caution should be exercised anytime visibility is low on the roads, including under foggy conditions, smoke and heavy rain.
• Use low beams – Keeping lights set to low during low-visibility conditions is critical, Gaskins said. “High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.” Making sure lights are on, however, is important so other motorists can see vehicles around them.
• Watch out for hazards – Motorists should keep their guard up for slow-moving and parked vehicles. It’s also a good idea to keep windows open a little to “hear” traffic that cannot be seen.
• Reduce distractions – Radios and cell phones should be turned off during low-visibility situations.
• Use defrosters and wipers – These should be used liberally to keep the windshield as clear as possible.
• Let the right edge guide – When visibility is so poor it’s hard to see where the road is, use the right edge or painted road markings as a guide.
• Be patient – It’s best to avoid passing or lane changing under low-visibility conditions.
• Use turn signals – While this is always a good idea, it’s especially important to use signals when visibility is poor. It’s also a good idea to brake early before approaching a stop.
• Do not stop on roadways – Gaskins said motorists should not stop on heavily trafficked roads or freeways when visibility is reduced. “You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision,” he said. It’s better to pull off into a parking area. If a stop on a road must be made, use signals, pull over as far to the side of the road as possible and then turn on hazards to indicate a stopped vehicle. Motorists should get out of their vehicles once they are parked and hazard lights are turned on.

For a seven-day forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s home page.

Photo of Thursday morning's fog on the Sunshine Skyway courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol