The scenario of last Saturday repeats itself
Humid air, cool nights, clear weather, light wind: the conditions will be perfect for creating thick fog overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. Motorists will therefore have one more element with which to juggle during the rush hour on Wednesday morning. Almost all of southern Quebec will be affected. Visibility might be reduced, and even zero, less than 200 meters in places.
The ultimate fog recipe
As the temperature near the ground drops, the cooling air can hold less and less water vapour. When the temperature reaches the dew point, the condensation process begins, creating the formation of droplets in suspension, a bit like in a cloud. This is called radiation fog. At sunrise, the air warms up and can hold more water vapour. The droplets evaporate and the fog dissipates. But the sun rises later in the fall, so the fog lingers a bit longer.
Nothing to see on the roads Wednesday morning
Droplets may be microscopic, but when they come together they can significantly reduce visibility. Add the presence of moisture on the roadway, making it more slippery, and you have an excellent recipe for creating pileups. It is always better to limit your trips when the conditions are not ideal. But if you have to hit the road on Wednesday morning, it would be good to follow these tips:
- Reduce its speed;
- Turn on your dipped headlights;
- Keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front;
- Do not use emergency flashers (According to the CAA, a motorist who sees a vehicle with flashing lights in motion may think that it has broken down, and therefore be immobilized. He might make an unnecessary, even dangerous righting maneuver).
