Freezing fog is glazing parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic this morning, turning commutes into a slow crawl and sidewalks into surprise ice rinks. The mix is eerie and hazardous. Fog thick as smoke, temperatures below 32, and a thin, nearly invisible coat of ice that forms the moment droplets touch a cold surface. That is why it is trending, and why safety comes first right now.
What is freezing fog, really?
Freezing fog looks like regular fog, but it is colder and more dangerous. Inside the fog are tiny, supercooled droplets. They are liquid, even though the air is below freezing. When they land on roads, bridges, trees, and power lines, they freeze on contact. The result is a clear glaze, often called black ice, that is hard to see and easy to slip on.
Think of it as fog that carries instant ice. Visibility drops. Traction disappears. Routine tasks, like crossing a parking lot, suddenly need extra care.
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Freezing fog can make roads and walkways slick without looking icy. Slow down, and watch your step.
Why it is happening now
The setup last night was textbook for freezing fog. Skies cleared and winds calmed, so heat escaped from the ground. Meteorologists call that radiational cooling. Temperatures at the surface fell below freezing, while low-level moisture stayed trapped near the ground. Then an Arctic air mass slid in, locking the chill in place at sunrise.
When the sun breaks through later this morning, ice should start to melt in many spots. Until then, the combination of cold pavement, trapped moisture, and very light wind is a perfect recipe for glaze.
Who is affected this morning
Advisories are stacked across several states. Middle Tennessee, central Virginia, and parts of North Carolina woke to freezing fog alerts and very low visibility. Dense fog advisories are posted in parts of north and central Georgia and central Alabama, where temperatures are near or below freezing in some valleys. Some locations in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland region also reported slick spots and thick fog.
Most advisories are set to expire by mid to late morning, but timing varies by county and elevation. Bridges, ramps, shaded roads, and untreated surfaces are the biggest trouble spots. Road crews are out early on major routes, but neighborhood streets and sidewalks may stay icy longer.
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Safety first, then sustainability
If you can delay travel this morning, do it. If you must go, drive like the road is icy, because it probably is.
- Use low-beam headlights, leave space, and avoid sudden braking.
- Reduce speed on bridges and overpasses, even if the road looks wet.
- Step carefully on porches and sidewalks, and use handrails.
- Watch for road crews and give them room to work.
Keep a small bag of sand or kitty litter in your car. It adds traction under tires and on front steps.
Freezing fog is also a resource issue. Energy demand spikes on cold mornings. That increases stress on grids, especially when heaters cycle on at the same time. Road salt and sand help, but they wash into streams and soils later. Smarter use matters. Targeted treatments on bridges and high-risk curves reduce salt loads while keeping people safe.
The climate signal in a foggy morning
One foggy morning does not prove a climate trend. Still, the backdrop matters. Warmer oceans and a warmer atmosphere hold more moisture. That can charge up fog and low clouds when cold air arrives. Arctic air intrusions still happen in a warming world. What is changing is the moisture available to interact with that cold. That can mean more frequent events where visibility crashes and ice forms quickly.
Scientists are also studying how a shifting jet stream can stall clear, calm nights over moist ground. That pattern sets the stage for events like today. The safest approach is to plan for sharper swings, from warm to cold, wet to icy, within a day or two.
Reduce salt where you can, and choose eco-friendlier deicers on your property. Look for products labeled safe for pets and plants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does freezing fog usually last?
A: It often fades by late morning as the sun warms roads and raises visibility. Valleys and shaded areas can stay slick longer.
Q: Why are bridges worse than regular roads?
A: Bridges cool from above and below, so they freeze faster. They can ice over even when nearby roads are only wet.
Q: Is black ice the same as freezing rain?
A: No. Freezing rain falls as liquid from clouds and freezes on contact. Black ice in freezing fog forms from fog droplets, not raindrops.
Q: Can road salt stop freezing fog glaze?
A: Salt helps on treated roads, but very cold spots may need sand for traction. Untreated sidewalks and porches remain risky.
Q: Does climate change cause more freezing fog?
A: It does not cause a single event. But a warmer, wetter atmosphere can feed thicker fog when cold snaps hit, raising icing risks.
Freezing fog turns familiar places into hidden hazard zones. This morning, patience and caution are your best tools. Give crews space, drive gently, and tread carefully. As the Arctic chill eases later today, the glaze will lift. The lesson will not. In a warming world with sharper swings, smart planning and steady habits keep us safer, and they protect the places we love.
