Weather alert for dense fog in Lowcountry Wednesday morning

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A report was issued from the NWS Charleston SC on Wednesday at 5:10 a.m. for dense fog until 8 a.m. The alert is for Inland Colleton and Inland Jasper as well as Allendale and Hampton counties.

"Areas of fog will slowly expand across parts of the South Carolina Lowcountry into Southeast Georgia through daybreak. The fog could become locally dense at times with visibilities dropping to 1/4 mile or less. The nature of the fog is such that visibilities will vary greatly over short distances with the risk for locally dense fog being the greatest near bodies of water and other low-lying areas such as marshes, swamps and large ditches. Motorists should remain alert for these conditions this morning," according to the NWS.

The NWS comments, "If driving, slow down and leave extra distance ahead of you in case a sudden stop is needed."

This alert is in effect until 8 a.m.

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

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

Moderate your speed:

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

Visibility priority:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

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

Keep a safe distance:

• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.

Stay in your lane:

• Use the road's lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

• 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 there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don't mistakenly run into you.

By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service

United Robots South Carolina

This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 5:14 AM.