Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for Sault Ste. Marie and St. Joseph Island, warning residents of potential hazardous travel conditions due to dense fog rolling in from Lake Superior and Whitefish Bay.
The advisory, which went into effect on Thursday evening, cautions that visibility can be suddenly reduced to near zero. According to information provided by the federal government, fog is a major factor in an average of 53 fatal road accidents across Canada each year, causing more deaths than lightning or tornadoes combined.
While the advisory remains in place, conditions at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport appeared clearer as of 5:00 a.m. on Friday, with visibility recorded at 24 kilometres. Forecasters expect any remaining patches of dense fog to dissipate by noon on Friday.
Following the clearing of the fog, residents can expect overcast skies with a high of 12°C for the remainder of the day. Rain is expected to arrive Friday night, followed by a significant temperature drop on Saturday. The forecast for Saturday calls for a high of only 1°C, with periods of rain giving way to a 60 percent chance of flurries or rain showers.