Local Weather Updates — Weather-forecasting

Thick fog shuts down Central Valley schools and snarls morning traffic

When fog erased visibility on Highway 99, schools had no choice but to close. See how one morning’s weather upended routines for families and drivers alike.

, and ASMedia

2025 November 21 . 1:09 AM

1 min read

In the picture we can see three school buses are parked, they are yellow in color and behind them... — In the picture we can see three school buses are parked, they are yellow in color and behind them we can see a sky.

Thick fog shuts down Central Valley schools and snarls morning traffic

Thick fog blanketed California’s Central Valley on Thursday morning, disrupting travel and school schedules. The poor visibility forced several districts to delay or cancel classes, while highways remained hazardous for drivers.

The fog rolled in after recent rain, reducing visibility to dangerous levels on Highway 99 and surrounding rural roads. By early morning, the Oak Valley Union School District and Mendota Unified School District had both called off classes for the day.

School officials followed strict safety policies before making the decision. Bus drivers must be able to see at least 200 feet ahead, but the fog made this impossible. Oak Valley’s superintendent, Heather Pilgrim, stressed that staff and driver visibility were the top priority in her decision.

Authorities also warned motorists to take extra care. California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Salas urged drivers to switch on low beams, slow down, and ensure seatbelts were fastened. The conditions created risks for both school transport and general traffic.

The cancellations affected thousands of students across the two districts. While no further delays were reported, the fog served as a reminder of how quickly weather can disrupt daily routines. Highway patrol continued to monitor roads as visibility slowly improved.