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NY weather: The current dense fog advisory for New York will be expiring at 9 a.m.

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. sory-for-new-york-will-be-expiring-at-9-a-m.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 11:00 GMT by Staten Island Advance
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New York’s Dense Fog Advisory Set to Lift at 9 a.m. – What You Need to Know

A thick blanket of fog that has blanketed the New York City metropolitan area and parts of upstate New York is finally expected to clear by 9 a.m. today, according to a dense‑fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). The advisory, which has been in effect since the night of September 18, warned residents, commuters and travelers that visibility would be reduced to less than ¼ mile in many locations and that driving, especially on expressways and bridges, would be treacherous. While the forecast indicates a quick lift, the article from SILive.com provides a comprehensive look at the situation, its causes, and the precautions that people should take until the fog dissipates.

Why the Fog Formed and Where It’s Most Intense

The dense fog in question is a classic example of advection fog, which forms when warm, moist air moves over a cooler surface—here, the relatively cold water of the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. As the air cools, the water vapor condenses into tiny droplets that remain suspended, creating a near‑ground layer of mist that can be so thick it obscures streetlights and even the tops of skyscrapers. According to the NWS’s Fog Advisory for the New York‑New Jersey‑Connecticut region, visibility will remain at or below a quarter of a mile in many urban corridors, including the Brooklyn‑Manhattan Bridge, the Lower Manhattan area, parts of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and several Long Island communities. Upstate counties such as Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam were also flagged, with the fog expected to be less intense but still a significant impediment to travel.

How the Advisory Was Issued

The advisory is part of the NWS’s “Special Weather Statements” system, which is used when a weather event does not meet the criteria for a severe weather warning but still poses a potential hazard. In this case, the fog advisory was issued at 10:30 p.m. on September 18 and was scheduled to expire at 9 a.m. today. The NWS bulletin read, in part, “Dense fog and reduced visibility will persist in the coastal low‑land areas of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Expect visibility of ¼ mile or less in most areas until 9 a.m. Traffic delays and accidents have already increased on major roads.”

The article explains that the NWS regularly updates its advisories based on real‑time data from surface observations, satellite imagery, and radar reflectivity. While the fog is set to lift by 9 a.m., it’s possible that patches could linger in higher elevations or in pockets of the city where cold air tends to settle. The SILive piece advises readers to remain cautious until the 9 a.m. deadline, especially if they need to drive or if they’re on the subway or at an airport where visibility can affect flight schedules.

What’s Happening on the Roads

One of the biggest concerns for commuters is the impact on traffic. The dense fog has already caused a number of accidents and significant congestion along key arteries such as I‑95 (the New York‑Jersey Turnpike), I‑495 (the Long Island Expressway), I‑87 (the Thruway), and various bridges and tunnels that connect Manhattan to the rest of the tri‑state area. Traffic cameras and police reports indicate that most incidents involve vehicles running into oncoming traffic or failing to stop at stoplights due to poor visibility. The article cites a local police spokesperson who said, “We’re seeing a higher than normal number of near‑misses and low‑speed collisions. Our officers are staying on the roads and urging drivers to keep a safe following distance and reduce speed.”

For those driving on the Brooklyn‑Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge, the fog can make the transition from city to bridge almost impossible without proper caution. The NWS recommends using low‑beam headlights (or fog lights, if available) and avoiding sudden braking or lane changes. A local traffic‑management official quoted in the article said, “You can’t rely on traffic lights as they often don’t work properly when the fog gets that thick. If you’re unsure about the road ahead, pull over to a safe area and wait until conditions improve.”

How the Fog Is Affecting Aviation

In the aviation sector, dense fog is a significant challenge because it hampers take‑off and landing visibility. The article notes that several flights scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport were delayed or diverted early in the morning due to fog at or near the runway threshold. While the airport authorities and the FAA are working to mitigate delays—by adjusting flight schedules and using runway visual aids—the NWS forecast indicates that visibility at these airports will improve slowly, with a notable uptick only after 9 a.m.

Passengers are urged to check their flight status frequently and to allow extra time to arrive at the airport. A representative from the airline industry, quoted in the article, explained that “the decision to delay or cancel a flight is ultimately a safety decision. If visibility drops below the required threshold, pilots will either hold in the air or go to an alternate airport. It’s always best to be prepared for a change.”

How to Stay Safe Until the Fog Lifts

The SILive article lists several practical steps people can take to stay safe while the dense fog persists:

1. Keep a Safe Distance: Even a few feet of distance can save you in a sudden stop. If you’re driving, maintain at least a 3‑second gap between your car and the one in front.
2. Use Low Beams or Fog Lights: High beams actually scatter the light and can worsen visibility in fog. If you have fog lights, they’re designed to cut through the mist.
3. Avoid Cruise Control: In low visibility, cruise control can cause your car to overshoot stops or merge lanes unintentionally.
4. Listen to Traffic Updates: Radio traffic reports, GPS apps, and the NWS website provide up‑to‑date information on road closures and delays.
5. If You’re on Public Transit: Take the advice of transit authorities to use alternate routes or wait for the fog to lift before traveling.
6. For Travelers: Check the weather bulletin before leaving and consider postponing long drives or flights.

The article also points readers to the National Weather Service’s “Fog Advisory” page on the NOAA website for live updates and to the SILive local news stream for traffic alerts. The NWS’s “Fog Advisory” page can be accessed at https://www.weather.gov/safety/fog, and the local news page is available at https://www.silive.com/weather-alerts.

What Happens After 9 a.m.?

While the advisory’s expiration at 9 a.m. is a good sign, the SILive piece stresses that the fog’s influence may linger in pockets. In particular, elevated areas such as the Bronx and parts of Westchester County might still see fog layers that create “slush” conditions on the roads, making them slippery. The advisory says that the visibility is expected to climb gradually from ¼ mile to ½ mile by mid‑morning, after which the risk drops significantly.

The article ends by reminding residents that weather conditions can change quickly. Even after the official advisory ends, local authorities will continue to monitor for any “unusual or prolonged fog” that might warrant a new advisory. The best approach is to stay informed, drive cautiously, and allow extra time for travel until the conditions stabilize.

In Summary

The dense‑fog advisory for New York has been a headline for commuters, travelers, and local officials since late September. It warned of visibility as low as a quarter of a mile in many parts of the metro area, and the associated traffic delays and flight disruptions have been notable. The SILive.com article provides a clear, step‑by‑step guide for how to navigate the fog’s dangers and what to expect as the weather clears. With the fog set to lift at 9 a.m., the next few hours will be critical: for those on the road, at the airport, or simply in the city, the fog may still linger in pockets, but the overall risk is expected to decrease dramatically. Stay alert, keep safety tips in mind, and use reliable weather sources to keep yourself and others safe until the sun can finally pierce the mist.