As the U.S. deals with an upwards of 24 inches of snow in certain areas, now, there’s another weather event to get on your radar. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the National Weather Service issued advisories for freezing fog in several states, which is impacting travelers coming back from weekend activities.
Winter weather has been impacting Americans for weeks, and the freezing fog advisories as the latest example of it. Freezing fog is rare, and according to the National Weather Service, it’s “tiny, supercooled liquid water droplets in fog” that “can freeze instantly on exposed surfaces when surface temperatures are at or below freezing.”
Also, “Some surfaces that these droplets may freeze on include tree branches, stairs and rails, sidewalks, roads and vehicles.” They add that travelers dealing with freezing fog should take “extreme caution,” since it can create conditions with reduced visibility and the quick formation of black ice.
Where to Expect Freezing Fog
According to the National Weather Service, the states of Maryland, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia are under advisories for freezing fog for Sunday, Dec. 7. Also on Sunday, the organization announced that visibility in these areas could be limited to “one quarter mile or less,” making driving conditions hazardous.
According to research from the Weather Channel, “Freezing fog occurs when surface temperatures are at or below freezing. If this is the case, the supercooled water droplets in fog can freeze instantly on contact with surfaces such as stairs, sidewalks, roads and vehicles.”
They add, “Extreme caution should be taken in freezing fog conditions because black ice can form, which is difficult to see and therefore particularly dangerous.”
Extreme Cold in Much of the U.S.
Heading into the work week, the Weather Channel predicts falling temperatures across much of the U.S. due to an arctic blast. The colder air will go south and eastward on Monday, Dec. 8, according to the outlet, bringing temperatures much lower across the Appalachians and I-95 corridor.
“Places like Philadelphia, New York and Boston will drop by as much as 10 degrees between Sunday and Monday,” they add. “Their high temperatures may not make it much above freezing Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Breezy conditions along this stretch of I-95 and the coast will make temperatures feel even colder.”
In cold weather, the American Red Cross warns to “ovoid overexertion, such as shoveling snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow,” even if it’s tempting.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, expect the cold temperatures to continue across the U.S., with much of New England and the Northeast in the teens and 20s. The Weather Channel even says to brace for a few record lows in the Northeast.
