Jacksonville, FL – Dense fog is expected to blanket portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia overnight, creating travel hazards for early-morning commuters and prompting forecasters to urge drivers to prepare for sharply reduced visibility.
Dense fog will expand rapidly after 1 AM, with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville issuing a Dense Fog Advisory through 8 AM for a large portion of the region. According to the advisory published on the National Weather Service’s Jacksonville page, visibility could fall to one-quarter mile or less, especially in low-lying areas, marsh zones, and roadways near rivers.
Fog formation and areas most affected
Forecasters explain that calm winds combined with high humidity will allow fog to thicken quickly in the predawn hours. Communities including Jacksonville, Arlington, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Macclenny, Kingsland, and Folkston are in the zone where the most persistent and widespread visibility issues are expected.
The fog will be especially thick near:
- Coastal marshes and river corridors such as the St. Marys River and Trout River
- Wooded backroads and rural stretches in western Duval, inland Nassau, and southern Ware County
These locations often trap moisture overnight, creating ideal conditions for dense fog layers that can linger longer than in other parts of the region.
Impact on major highways and travel routes
Transportation agencies warn that early travelers should be prepared for sudden visibility drops along I-95, I-10, US-17, and portions of state highways that run through low-lying areas. Commuters leaving before sunrise may experience challenges staying within lanes, difficulty spotting merging traffic, and potential slowdowns near bridges and interchanges.
Traffic disruptions are most likely where fog pools in pockets, creating abrupt transitions from clear sections to heavy fog. This is a common hazard across northeast Florida’s river basins and the flat terrain of southeast Georgia.
What the National Weather Service is advising
NWS meteorologists note that visibility can deteriorate quickly—sometimes within a few hundred feet. In their latest discussion, they warned drivers to maintain awareness throughout the morning commute:
“Visibility may fall to one-quarter mile or less in many locations, especially near rivers and marshes. Motorists should expect rapidly changing conditions,” the NWS explained in its Jacksonville-area alert.
Officials added that light winds and saturated ground conditions after recent humidity surges are contributing to the rapid overnight fog development.
Safety precautions for drivers
Fog-related accidents tend to increase during early-morning hours when visibility is lowest and traffic begins to build. To reduce risk, safety officers recommend that motorists:
- Reduce speed and allow extra stopping distance
- Keep headlights on low beam to avoid glare
- Avoid using high beams, which reflect off fog and further reduce visibility
- Use road reflectors and lane markings to guide steering
- Remain alert for vehicles pulled over or moving slowly
Drivers planning to leave before the advisory expires should build in additional travel time and be prepared for delays on popular commuter corridors.
When conditions will improve
Fog is expected to lift gradually after 8 AM as temperatures rise and humidity drops. However, residual patches may persist longer near rivers, shaded rural zones, and inland areas where cool air settles.
Weather experts say the lifting process could vary by location, with coastal areas clearing slightly sooner and dense inland pockets taking longer to dissipate. Morning commuters may continue to encounter fog-related delays even as conditions begin improving nearby.
Why dense fog is common this time of year
Late autumn is one of the most active fog seasons in the Southeast. The combination of warm afternoons, cool nights, and high moisture near the coast allows thick fog layers to form quickly overnight. This pattern is expected to continue through the coming weeks, especially during calm, clear nights.
Conclusion
Although the advisory expires at 8 AM, drivers across the region should plan for slow travel early Thursday and remain alert to lingering visibility issues. With multiple counties under the Dense Fog Advisory and major highways affected, safe driving practices will be essential.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
