Freezing Fog Expected To Materialize Across Central Texas

AUSTIN, TX — Sunday was a (wintry) blast, but we're not done with the cold yet. Patchy, freezing fog is in the forecast Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to weather forecasters.

According to the National Weather Service, a freezing fog advisory is issued when fog develops and surface temperatures are at or below freezing. Freezing fog makes driving — as well as boating, flying and other forms of transportation — particularly hazardous, weather officials said. Under such conditions, officials noted, visibility decreases to at or below 1 mile.

According to the Austin-area weather forecast, Monday night was expected to be partly cloudy just before patchy freezing fog conditions materialize. The expected sub-freezing low of 28 degrees will promote freezing fog formation.

Tuesday morning will bring continued patchy freezing fog before conditions become partly sunny, according to the forecast. A high of 53 degrees is expected.

More on that freezing fog from the National Weather Service: "When fog forms in temperatures that are below freezing, the tiny water droplets in the air remain as liquid," meteorologists explained in their website. "They become super cooled water droplets remaining liquid even though they are below freezing temperature. This occurs because liquid needs a surface to freeze upon."

Some surfaces that these droplets may freeze on include tree branches, stairs and rails, sidewalks, roads and vehicles, National Weather Service officials continued. "Extreme caution should be taken if travel is necessary."

The reason for such caution is that freezing fog can cause black ice to form on roadways, officials said. Black ice is particularly treacherous as it is difficult to see, officials noted. "Drive more slowly when you suspect icy conditions," weather officials cautioned. "For those flying, a thin layer of ice can form on aircraft, making flight very dangerous unless the aircraft is treated or has effective deicing equipment."