This morning, October 14, 2023, dense fog has enveloped significant areas in North China and the Huang-Huai region, marking the most extensive fog event since the beginning of autumn. Multiple locations across Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi are experiencing visibility issues of less than 100 meters. It’s expected that the fog will persist into the morning hours but will begin to dissipate or weaken from north to south later tonight as cold air moves in.
The fog was particularly thick this morning, with monitoring data revealing that by 8 AM, areas such as Beijing’s Fojia Peak, alongside locations in Hebei like Xuankua, Xianghe, Bazhou, Wen’an, and others, reported extremely low visibility. Additionally, parts of Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and even regions in Shaanxi and Hubei faced similar conditions, where fog combined with haze further deteriorated air quality.
The dense fog has resulted in the closure of several highways. According to reports from CCTV News, all eight major highway entrances surrounding Shijiazhuang are shut, and for highways around Beijing, only the Jing Zhang, Jing Xin, and Da Guang Lan Ping routes are open; the rest are closed due to fog.
This morning, the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow fog warning, forecasting further fog in central and southern Hebei, western Beijing and Tianjin, and parts of western Shandong, northeastern and southern Henan, with some areas experiencing visibility below 500 meters, and even severe conditions with visibility dropping below 200 meters in certain spots. Light to moderate haze was also reported in various regions.
Autumn and winter typically bring an increase in fog events in inland China, primarily due to radiation fog. With longer nights and cooler temperatures during these seasons, the ground cools, causing water vapor in the atmosphere to condense and form fog.
Fog is one of the weather conditions that significantly impacts transportation, often leading to highway closures and flight delays. According to statistics from the Ministry of Public Security, around 10% of traffic accidents in China annually are directly linked to fog and other severe weather conditions. So, what can drivers do to ensure safety during foggy conditions?
Firstly, drivers should reduce their speed gently and avoid sudden braking to prevent rear-end collisions. Fog lights, low beams, side lights, and hazard lights should be activated, while high beams should be avoided. Additionally, using the horn frequently can signal other drivers, and it’s crucial to understand the lane rules: for two-lane roads, stay in the inner lane; for three-lane roads, the middle lane is ideal. If visibility is severely compromised, finding the nearest exit is advisable. If that’s not an option, pulling over to the emergency stop lane and turning on the fog lights, sidelights, and taillights while positioning warning signs at least 150 meters away from the vehicle is essential. Passengers should vacate the car and seek safety behind the guardrail.
Beyond its impact on transportation, fog also poses health risks. Pollutants can combine with moisture in the air, creating conditions where these harmful substances remain concentrated at breathing heights, with their toxicity potentially increasing. Therefore, during foggy conditions, the public is advised to limit outdoor activities to safeguard their health.
Starting tonight, the arrival of cold air will gradually reduce or eliminate the fog and haze from north to south. However, this cold front is expected to bring significant temperature drops to northeastern regions, causing cities like Harbin, Changchun, and Shenyang to plummet from highs above 20°C today to around 10°C tomorrow, with nighttime temperatures potentially dropping below freezing. Residents in these areas should adjust their clothing accordingly to avoid catching a cold.
