NY weather: Be prepared for fog and black ice in New York until early Saturday

The National Weather Service reported fog and black ice through Saturday at midnight for the counties of Oneida, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Tioga, Broome, Delaware, and Sullivan. The alert was released at 10:26 p.m. on Friday.

Patchy black ice may form when temperatures drop below freezing, particularly on exposed surfaces. Roads, parking lots, and walkways will become slick as a result. Additionally, fog will make it harder to see. The weather service advises slowing down and allowing more time to halt if you’re driving late tonight.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

The following safety advice should be kept in mind if you must drive in foggy conditions:

Go at a moderate pace:

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

Priority for visibility:

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  Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.
  

Steer clear of high beams:

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  Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
  

Stay away:

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  Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
  

Remain in your lane:

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  Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
  

Strategy for zero visibility:

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  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.
  

Restricted parking possibilities

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  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.
  

Following these weather service guidelines will help you drive more safely in foggy circumstances, reducing the chance of accidents and putting your health first.

United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.