Have You Ever Heard of ‘Super Fog’ in Iowa?
No, 'Super Fog' has nothing to do with the 1980 John Carpenter movie or the book/movie from Stephen King called 'The Mist.'
However, it can be just as dangerous --- but without the creatures or the ghosts.
According to the National Weather Service, Super Fog is defined as:
a mixture of smoke and moisture released from damp smoldering organic material such as brush, leaves, and trees, mixes with cooler, nearly saturated air. Visibility is lowered to less than 10 feet. Under light wind conditions, super fog meanders through low terrain areas such as creek beds or drainage ditches. Super fog can be very dangerous and has been the cause of several large, multi-vehicle pileups.
It sounds like something from a movie, right?
This time of the year, we should be more concerned about 'Freezing Fog.'
Freezing Fog is when very small water droplets in fog freeze instantly on surfaces when surface temperatures are at or below freezing. This includes tree branches, stairs, sidewalks, roads, and even your vehicle.
The National Weather Service says that freezing fog can cause black ice to form on roadways. Definition of Black Ice: Clear ice (not white) with the black road surface visible underneath. It is most prevalent during the early morning hours, especially after melted snow on the road has a chance to refreeze overnight.
When traveling through the fog, use your low-beam headlights, and/or fog lights. They will help you see further in the fog. Do NOT use high-beam lights.
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