If you’re planning to drive on Thursday morning in Milwaukee or nearby areas along Lake Michigan, you’ll need to be extra cautious. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for several counties, stretching from Sheboygan to Milwaukee, and it’s in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday.
What the Advisory Means for You
This advisory, issued around 1:41 a.m., is a warning that visibility could drop to one-quarter mile or less at times. This makes driving potentially dangerous, especially during morning commute hours. Fog is especially thick in shoreline areas, but parts of southeast Wisconsin may also experience reduced visibility.
This kind of advisory is quite common near Lake Michigan, especially during late summer and early fall, when cool air and warm lake water combine to create foggy conditions overnight.
Safety Tips for Driving in Fog
If you’re hitting the road early, here are a few important safety measures to keep in mind:
Slow down – Drive at a speed that gives you time to react to road hazards.
Use low beam headlights – High beams can actually make things worse by reflecting off the fog.
Increase distance between you and the car in front of you.
Be extra alert near low-lying areas and lakeshores, where fog tends to be thicker.
Avoid sudden stops – Tap your brakes gently to alert drivers behind you.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, cameras on highways—like the one at I-43 and Highway 28 in Sheboygan—have shown very low visibility early Thursday. The fog is expected to lift gradually by late morning, improving travel conditions by around 10 a.m.
Why Fog Is Common Near Lake Michigan
Dense fog near Lake Michigan isn’t unusual. It forms when moist air from the lake cools rapidly overnight, especially in calm and clear conditions. This effect is stronger in late summer and early fall, making this kind of advisory fairly routine for local drivers during this time of year.
What Commuters Should Do
If you’re heading to work or school, check live road conditions before leaving. Many weather and traffic apps offer real-time updates and camera feeds that can help you decide when and where it’s safest to travel.
For those who can delay their travel until after 10 a.m., it may be safer to wait until the fog clears.
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for Milwaukee and nearby shoreline counties until 10 a.m. Thursday. Visibility could drop dangerously low, especially during early commutes.
Motorists should drive slowly, use low beams, and stay alert—particularly near the Lake Michigan shoreline. Conditions are expected to improve by late morning, but until then, be cautious and allow extra travel time.
