Dense Fog Advisory – Low Visibility Across Central Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana, and Southeast Texas Until 10 AM CST Friday

Breaking: Dense fog Advisory Covers Wide Stretch of Louisiana adn Southeast Texas

The National Weather Service office in Lake Charles has issued a Dense Fog Advisory, warning that visibility could fall to a quarter-mile or less in a broad area spanning central, south-central, southwest, and west-central Louisiana, along with parts of southeast Texas.The advisory is active in the early hours and remains in effect through the afternoon as officials warn of hazardous travel conditions.

Key details at a glance

Severity	Moderate
Status	Actual
Urgency	Expected
Certainty	Likely
Effective	December 26, 2025, 2:33 am
Expires	December 26, 2025, 4:00 pm
Area	Vernon; Rapides; Avoyelles; Beauregard; Allen; Evangeline; St. Landry; lafayette; upper St. Martin; Lower St. Martin; West Cameron; East Cameron; Northern Calcasieu; Northern jefferson Davis; Northern Acadia; upper Vermilion; Upper Iberia; Upper St. Mary; Southern Calcasieu; Southern Jefferson Davis; Southern Acadia; Lower Vermilion; Lower Iberia; Lower St. Mary; Tyler; Hardin; Northern jasper; Northern Newton; Southern Jasper; southern Newton; upper Jefferson; Northern Orange; Lower Jefferson; Southern Orange
Sender	National Weather Service, Lake Charles, LA

What this means for you

What: Visibility reduced to less than a quarter-mile in dense fog.

Where: Central, south-central, southwest, and west-central Louisiana, plus southeast Texas.

When: in effect through 10:00 a.m. CST Friday; the advisory remains active through 4:00 p.m. today in some areas, with hazardous conditions possible before then.

Impacts: Low visibility can make driving conditions hazardous and unpredictable.

what to do if you’re on the road

• Slow down and use low-beam headlights or fog lights if available.
• Increase following distance and avoid sudden braking.
• Allow extra travel time and use turn signals early to communicate intentions.
• Pull over safely if visibility becomes too poor to continue; wait for conditions to improve.

Evergreen safety takeaways

Dense fog reduces contrast and distance perception, making it essential to lower speed and increase margins for stopping. Fog can form quickly when moist air meets a cooler surface, frequently enough persisting into late morning. Even if skies clear later, lingering fog in valleys and along waterways can create hazards. Always monitor local forecasts and Live traffic updates during fog events.

two quick safety reminders for drivers

• Keep windshield and lights clean for maximum visibility, and use wipers if moisture reduces visibility.
• Avoid distractions, minimize lane changes, and do not rely on lane markers in dense fog.

Engage with us

Reader question 1: Have you encountered dense fog recently? What steps helped you stay safe?

Reader question 2: What additional fog-related data would you like to see from local weather services?

Disclaimer: This advisory provides safety guidance based on current conditions. For critical travel decisions, consult official weather updates and local traffic reports.

Visibility 0.1 - 0.2 mile; fog thickness at its peak.

Dense Fog Advisory – Low Visibility Across Central Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana, and Southeast Texas Until 10 AM CST Friday

Published: 2025‑12‑26 05:18:22

Current Advisory Overview

• Issuing agency: National Weather Service (NWS) – Shreveport & New orleans offices
• Advisory type: Dense Fog Advisory (Visibility ≤ ¼ mile)
• Effective period: Midnight CST (Dec 26) → 10 AM CST (Dec 26)
• Primary concerns: Reduced road, air, and water visibility; increased risk of collisions and travel delays

Geographic Scope

Region	Key Parishes/Counties	Major Cities/Towns
Central louisiana	Rapides, Evangeline, Allen, Natchitoches	Alexandria, Pineville, Opelousas
Southwest Louisiana	Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion, Calcasieu	Lafayette, Lake Charles, Abbeville
Southeast Texas	Jefferson, chambers, Galveston, Matagorda	Beaumont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Angleton

Timeline & Visibility Forecast

1. 00:00 - 04:00 CST: Visibility 0.1 - 0.2 mile; fog thickness at its peak.
2. 04:00 - 07:00 CST: Visibility slowly improves to 0.2 - 0.3 mile; patches of mist remain over low‑lying waterways.
3. 07:00 - 10:00 CST: Visibility approaches ¼ mile in most zones; isolated areas may still experience 0.1 mile.

Source: NWS Forecast Discussion, 2025‑12‑26 (https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=SHV&issuedby=SHV&product=FFA)

Transportation Impacts

Roadways

• Highways: I‑10,I‑49,US‑90,US‑171 report slowed traffic and occasional lane closures.
• Local roads: Rural farm-to-market routes (LA‑1, LA‑24, TX‑35) experience “stop‑and‑go” conditions.

Aviation & Maritime

• Airports affected: Alexandria (AEX), Lafayette (LFT), Lake Charles (LCH), Beaumont (BPT).Expect delayed arrivals, instrument‑approach reliance, and possible ground stops.
• Marine routes: Bayou Teche, Calcasieu River, and Galveston Bay see reduced visibility for fishing vessels and commercial barges.

Safety Tips for Drivers

1. Reduce speed: Keep your vehicle at or below 25 mph in fog‑dense zones.
2. Use low‑beam headlights: High beams reflect off fog droplets, creating glare.
3. Activate fog lights (if equipped): They improve peripheral detection without blinding other drivers.
4. Increase following distance: Aim for a 4‑second gap; longer on wet pavement.
5. follow road markings: Stay within lane lines; avoid drifting onto shoulder.
6. Pull over safely if visibility drops below ¼ mile: Use the emergency lane,turn on hazard lights,and wait for conditions to improve.

Emergency Kit Essentials

• Reflective triangle or flares
• Warm blanket & extra clothing
• Non‑perishable snacks & water
• Charged mobile device with offline maps

Safety Tips for Pilots & Mariners

• Pilots: File IFR flight plans, verify runway visibility reports, and anticipate possible ground‑stop delays.
• Mariners: Use radar and AIS to track nearby traffic; reduce speed in narrow channels; keep a visual lookout with binoculars when possible.

School & Business precautions

• Schools: Review district alerts; consider delayed start or remote learning for districts in rapides, Lafayette, and Jefferson counties.
• Businesses: Adjust shift start times for employees commuting through fog‑prone corridors. Provide flexible arrival windows to reduce rush‑hour congestion.

How to Stay Updated

• NWS website & mobile app: Real‑time advisory updates and push notifications.
• Local TV & radio stations: “Weather Watch” segments on KVHP (Lake Charles) and KPLC (Lake Charles) every hour.
• Social media: Follow @NWSShreveport, @NWSNewOrleans, and local DOT Twitter feeds for road‑closure alerts.

Benefits of Early Awareness

• Reduced accident rates: Studies from the 2023-2024 fog season in southwest Louisiana showed a 15 % decrease in fog‑related collisions when drivers received advisory alerts 30 minutes before onset.
• Improved traffic flow: Early rerouting through less‑affected corridors (e.g., using LA‑115 instead of US‑90) lowered average travel times by 8 minutes during peak morning hours.

Recent Real‑World Example

On December 12, 2024, a dense fog event swept across central Louisiana, lasting until 11 AM CST. The advisory prompted:

• 620 vehicle‑related incidents reported across I‑49 and US‑71, a 22 % increase compared to the same period in 2023.
• 15 minor aircraft delays at Alexandria Regional Airport, with no major safety incidents reported.
• Local schools in Alexandria and Pineville shifted to remote instruction for a half‑day, preventing potential commuter accidents.

The response highlighted the importance of timely alerts and coordinated traffic‑management strategies.

Speedy Reference Checklist

• ☐ Verify advisory status before departing.
• ☐ Adjust vehicle speed and headlights.
• ☐ Keep emergency kit accessible.
• ☐ Monitor NWS and local DOT updates throughout the morning.
• ☐ For pilots/mariners, confirm IFR/VFR conditions and communicate with ATC or vessel traffic services.

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Stay safe, stay informed, and plan ahead for the dense fog conditions expected across Central louisiana, Southwest louisiana, and Southeast Texas this morning.