Dense Fog Tuesday Morning

After Monday's rain, winter mix, and snow (in northern and western Virginia), low-level moisture at the ground remains high causing fog to develop in most of the Commonwealth. The fog is particularly dense in the western third of the state, where some locations there are under a Dense Fog Advisory until mid-morning for significantly reduced visibilities to a quarter of a mile or less.


Visibilities are reduced elsewhere in central Virginia outside of the Advisory, though, so please use caution on your commute this morning. The fog can be at its densest in low-lying spots, along waterways, and in agricultural areas. Use your fog lights or low-beam settings while driving this morning, even after sunrise.

I mentioned the snow from yesterday in parts of Virginia. Here's a beautiful shot of the snow falling Monday in King George, VA by Breanna Marini:

This photo was posted on my Facebook page by Breanna. You can share your snow pictures, at my page by clicking here, too.

--Meteorologist Carrie Rose
Carrie's Facebook Page
Carrie's Twitter

Help Provide Warmth For a Deserving Family

We've only had small doses of frigid temperatures this winter, and only a trace of snow to date, but there have been plenty of cold nights and it's likely wintry weather will make an appearance over the next two months. Most of us are blessed with the means to heat our homes during the winter, but there are families that could really use some help this winter. Woodfin, CBS 6, and the Better Housing Coalition are teaming up to provide a new furnace to a deserving family in need. Go to www.wtvr.com/warmerwinter and fill out the form to nominate a deserving family. Thanks in advance! -Zach

A Question About Wind Chill

I received the following e-mail from a CBS 6 viewer a couple of days ago addressing wind chill, and who or what is affected by it. Read the message first, and then continue reading for my explanation below.

Zach,

While over at a friends farm Monday it was cold and windy. We got in his golf cart to go look at something and the gas engine stumbled and stammered at first and my friend blamed it on the wind and cold. I tried to explain the wind didn’t make the engine any colder but he wouldn’t hear of such a foolish thing. It might be worthwhile if you or Carrie try to explain the difference between wind chill and ambient temp while this dip has everyone's attention!

Thanks,

Mike

A lot of people will tell you that wind chill does not affect inanimate objects, while others will tell you wind chill affects everything, both living and otherwise. The answer is actually not that cut and dry. The simplest way to put it, is to say that wind chill affects all objects that are emitting heat, causing them to cool to the ambient air temperature faster. So in the example above, the cold could be a reason for the engine to struggle, but not the wind. In the same way, if a lake is 33 degrees and the wind is calm, the lake will not freeze if the wind increases to 20 mph and the wind chill drops into the teens. The wind chill will be sensed by humans and other objects warmer than the surrounding air temperature, but the temperature of the water will not cool lower than the air temp and freeze. Wind chill accelerates the cooling process of objects, and if those objects are already at the ambient air temperature, they won't get any colder regardless of how low the wind chill drops. -Zach