NY weather: Prepare for fog in Putnam and Westchester counties Monday morning

At 6:09 a.m. on Monday, the National Weather Service issued a fog weather alert for Putnam and Westchester counties that would last until 9 a.m.

“Some freezing fog has been reported in the area. Visibilities down to about a quarter of a mile make up a portion of this that is locally thick. Any untreated surfaces become icy and slick when temperatures are at or below freezing. The weather agency advises travelers to use caution, slow down, use low beam headlights, and allow additional time to get to their destination.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

The following weather service safety advice should be kept in mind if you must go outside in foggy conditions:

Go at a moderate pace:

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

Visibility is important.

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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.
  

Keep your gaps safe:

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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.
  

Visibility close to zero:

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  In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
  

Absence of parking choices

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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.