Prepare for fog in 12 Massachusetts counties until early Monday morning

The National Weather Service issued a report at 12:30 a.m. on Monday for fog until 5 a.m. for Northern Worcester and Southern Worcester as well as Franklin, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.

“As of 12:30 a.m. Monday, many locations in Southern New England were reporting visibilities between one-half and 4 miles with fog and areas of drizzle. Visibilities will remain reduced into the Monday morning commute and could make for more difficult travel. Very slow improvement is anticipated into Monday morning. Travelers overnight into early Monday morning should expect sudden changes in visibility in foggy areas. Use low-beam headlights and keep a safe driving distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you,” explains the weather service.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

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

Moderate your 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 a safe 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.

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.

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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.