Residents and travelers in the Central Coast and Santa Ynez Valley areas are waking up to thick fog again Thursday morning, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS). The dense fog significantly reduces visibility, creates dangerous conditions on the roads and affects activities at sea.

The NWS has issued a dense fog warning and is urging motorists to use extreme caution when navigating the roads. Reduced visibility can cause sudden slowdowns and unexpected delays, increasing the risk of accidents if drivers are not alert. Authorities advise drivers to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, always use headlights and drive at reduced speed for safety reasons.

Boaters are also warned to remain in safe harbor until conditions improve. The thick fog that blanketed the area early this morning is not expected to clear until later this afternoon. It can be dangerous to set out in such poor visibility and maritime authorities recommend postponing any sailing plans until the fog clears.

The intensity of these foggy conditions is unusual for this time of year and has caught many by surprise, impacting daily commutes and activities across the region. Residents and visitors are asked to monitor local weather updates and allow additional travel time if necessary until the fog clears and visibility returns to normal.

Stay up to date with the latest weather warnings by monitoring local weather forecasts and heeding any warnings from authorities.