Dense fog advisories issued for Copper and Susitna valleys, with black ice risk

The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued dense fog advisories Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, for the Central Copper Valley, from Gulkana north along the Richardson Highway, and for the central and northern Susitna Valley, where fog was reported around Trapper Creek and through Broad Pass. Forecasters said visibility could drop to one-quarter mile.

In the Copper Valley, forecasters warned that fog combined with below-freezing temperatures could leave slippery roads and patchy black ice. In the Susitna Valley, they said rain or snow could make roads slippery. The Copper Valley advisory ran from 7:33 am to 10 am, and the Susitna Valley advisory until 2 pm. Both have ended.

Forecasters told drivers to slow down, use headlights, leave plenty of distance and watch for frost on bridge decks and roadways. Both valleys were also under fog advisories earlier in the week: the Copper Valley Sunday night into Monday, and the Susitna Valley Monday night into Tuesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy proclaimed Oct. 4-10 Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The proclamation says automobile accidents remain the leading cause of death indirectly linked to winter weather. Highway conditions are posted on Alaska 511.