Tule Fog

Last night signaled the first night of fog for our area. I live in a part of CA that gets severe fog, not like coastal area fog. This is a thick, cold, wet fog that does not lift when the sun comes out. In fact it can be seen from space like a blanket of snow over our area. They call this fog "Tule fog":

Image from Google Images not mine

This type of fog is caused by water absored into the ground and warm weather. When the temprature drops in the winter the heat from the ground causes the water to rise. Since we live in a rural community everywhere there is field there is fog.

Last winter we were going to Stanford on a very foggy day and got rear ended. This winter I am living in fear of another fog related accident. Last night while watching television we actually heard a law enforcement warning telling people to stay off a certain road due to fog.

Here is a picture taken the morning of our accident:


Last night we drove home from bowling in the fog. I am really dreading getting the call during the winter, I am almost paralyzed thinking about driving in the fog again. Funny enough, as we pulled off the freeway to go home I fishtailed in some sand on the ground. I thought something was wrong with my car and tried to steer but couldn't. I am just so glad the lady next to me was a good driver and avoided us. Now I know to take my foot of the gas when something like that happens.