Dense fog will be in place for the holiday morning commute in the Pittsburgh area
Dense fog is expected to blanket the Pittsburgh region during the holiday morning commute, creating hazardous travel conditions for motorists and pedestrians. A dense fog advisory covers all of western Pennsylvania as well as parts of eastern Ohio and the West Virginia panhandle and will remain in effect through 11 a. m. ET Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Visibility in many spots could fall below a quarter mile, with pockets of freezing fog that may leave slick, icy patches on roads, sidewalks and elevated surfaces.
What motorists should know
Low visibility in dense fog makes driving especially risky. Authorities warn that drivers should reduce speed, turn on headlights (low beam), and increase following distance to allow more time to react. High beams can worsen visibility in fog and should be avoided. If visibility drops near zero, pull safely off the roadway, turn on hazard lights and wait until conditions improve.
Pockets of freezing fog raise the threat of a thin glaze of ice on bridges, overpasses and other elevated surfaces where temperatures hover around freezing. Those surfaces can become slick before nearby ground-level roads show signs of ice, so extra caution is advised when crossing ramps or elevated roadways. Commuters using motorcycles, bicycles or scooters should consider delaying travel; smaller vehicles and two-wheelers are much more vulnerable in fog and on icy patches.
Where and when the fog will affect travel
The advisory specifically includes the greater Pittsburgh area and extensive portions of western Pennsylvania, neighboring eastern Ohio counties and the West Virginia panhandle. The dense fog advisory remains in effect through 11 a. m. ET Monday, with the heaviest impacts expected during the early morning rush.
While the fog will complicate the typical Monday commute, overall traffic volumes are anticipated to be lighter than normal because many offices are closed and several school districts are not in session for the President's Day holiday. That reduced congestion may lessen the potential for multi-vehicle incidents, but the combination of low visibility and freezing fog still poses a heightened risk for collisions and slip-and-fall injuries.
Safety tips for pedestrians and households
Pedestrians should be mindful of slick sidewalks and reduced driver sight lines. Wear visible or reflective clothing if you must walk during the advisory hours, and take extra care at crosswalks and intersections. Watch for black ice on steps and elevated walkways, and avoid shortcuts that use bridges or ramps when temperatures are near freezing.
Households can prepare by allowing extra travel time, postponing nonessential errands until after the advisory expires, and checking vehicle lights, wipers and tire tread before heading out. If you encounter an accident or a vehicle in distress, contact local emergency services for assistance and avoid standing close to roadways when visibility is low.
Commuters should stay tuned to travel updates through local traffic reports and any advisories issued by transportation agencies for their jurisdiction. With the advisory in place until 11 a. m. ET Monday, the safest course is to assume slower travel and plan accordingly.
