Weather alert for Western North Carolina until Wednesday morning

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A report from the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC was issued on Wednesday at 3:57 a.m. for dense fog until 9:30 a.m. The alert is for Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, Caldwell Mountains, Burke Mountains, McDowell Mountains, Rutherford Mountains and Polk Mountains as well as Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Transylvania and Henderson counties.

"Areas of dense fog will continue to impact the mountain valleys of North Carolina this morning. Visibility may decrease suddenly and over short distances. Motorists traveling in these areas this morning, including I-26 in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas, and I-40 through the Pigeon River gorge should use extra caution. The fog is expected to burn off shortly after sunrise. Slow down, increase following distance, and turn on your low-beam headlights," says the NWS.

This alert is in effect until 9:30 a.m.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:

Reduce speed:

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

Visibility matters:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.

Avoid high-beams:

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

Keep your distance:

• Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road's lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility strategy:

• In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.

Limited parking options:

• If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off 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.

By adhering to these precautions from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring your personal safety.

Source: The National Weather Service

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 4:00 AM.