A weather alert issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 1:25 a.m. is warning residents of fog until 7 a.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and Jackson counties.

“Patchy Dense Freezing Fog is expected to develop across portions of northern Alabama with visibilities dropping to 1/4 mile or less in isolated areas and temperatures dropping to around 32 degrees towards daybreak. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution, as visibilities will vary significantly given the patchy nature of the fog and elevated surface could become slick in spots. Use low beams, reduce driving speed, and allow for plenty of room between you and other cars. The fog should begin to dissipate by 7 a.m. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, or a favorite local media outlet, for further statements or updates from the National Weather Service in Huntsville,” says the weather service.

This alert is in effect until 7 a.m.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the weather service

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce speed:

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

Visibility priority:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.

Avoid high-beams:

• Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Keep your distance:

• Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility protocol:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.

No 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 are not illuminated, reducing the risk 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.