A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 1:20 a.m. for fog until 7 a.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

“Patchy dense freezing fog has developed in some low-lying areas, especially along and near portions of the Tennessee River and other waterways and lakes in the areas. Visibility will be reduced to 1/4 mile or less in these areas and a few slick spots from thick frost may develop as well. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution, as visibility will vary significantly and to account for possible slick conditions. Use low beams, reduce driving speed, and allow for plenty of room between you and other cars,” according to the weather service.

Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:

Reduce speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility matters:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep your distance:

• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.

Stay in your lane:

• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

Limited parking options:

• If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.