Rudolph Alert: Dense Fog Overnight Across Washington DC Region

STERLING, VA — Santa Claus will be delivering presents to the Washington, D.C. region under thick fog — likely requiring that special help needed for these occasions. A dense fog advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday, meaning the rest of us will need to pay extra attention on the roads.

The National Weather Service expects visibility to be limited to a quarter-mile or less. "Areas of dense fog will cause sudden reductions in visibility and create dangerous driving conditions," according to the weather alert.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down, use headlights and leave plenty of distance between cars.

Santa is encouraged to call in the reinforcements.

The advisory areas includes Fredericksburg, Alexandria, Leesburg and communities in and around Prince William, Fairfax and Arlington counties in Virginia. Maryland areas under the advisory include Montgomery, Prince George's and Ann Arundel counties.

The fog is expected to clear by mid-morning, with mostly sunny skies in the forecast for the rest of the day. Temperatures will reach a high of 46 degrees.

Image from NWS archive, public domain