Fog advisory, what it means and how to check if your area is affected

Fog warning in effect: A map highlights affected regions in yellow, with dense fog expected around Winnipeg and surrounding areas. Travel with caution. Photo from meteoblue and only used for illustrative purposes

Environment Canada issues fog advisories when visibility is expected to drop to one kilometre or less, creating potentially hazardous travel conditions. Dense fog can form quickly, especially overnight or early in the morning, and is common near lakes, rivers, valleys, and coastal areas. Reduced visibility can affect driving, flights, and local transportation, so warnings are issued to help people plan safely.

Canada uses a color-coded alert system to show the severity of weather risks. A yellow advisory indicates weather that could cause moderate disruption or localized hazards, while higher-level alerts signal more serious risk. Fog advisories are usually temporary and may be lifted once visibility improves, but conditions can change rapidly depending on temperature, wind, and moisture levels.

If a fog advisory is active in your area, drivers should slow down, use low-beam headlights, increase following distance, and allow extra travel time. Avoid using high beams because they reflect off fog and reduce visibility further. Pedestrians and cyclists should also take extra caution near roads.

Weather alerts are issued regionally, not nationwide, so the only reliable way to confirm current conditions is to check the official Government of Canada weather alerts page and search your city.

Check alerts here: https://weather.gc.ca/

Sources

Environment and Climate Change Canada – Weather alerts and warnings

Government of Canada – Colour-coded weather alert system

Last updated: 02 14 2026