As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, residents and visitors in New Orleans face a potentially dangerous weather phenomenon known as super fog.
This dense, blinding mix of smoke and fog has already proven deadly in Louisiana and threatens to create hazardous conditions on one of the year’s busiest weekends.
Super fog forms when moisture combines with smoke from wildfires, marsh fires, or burning vegetation, creating a thick, low-lying cloud that drastically reduces visibility.
This phenomenon is particularly dangerous for drivers, as it can cause near-zero visibility in a matter of seconds.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that super fog can linger for hours, especially during the early morning and late-night hours when temperatures are cooler.
Louisiana has already experienced the deadly effects of super fog in recent months.
In October 2023, a catastrophic pileup on I-55 near New Orleans involved over 160 vehicles, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more.
Authorities attributed the accident to super fog, which had dramatically reduced visibility on the highway
More recently, in early February 2024, another series of accidents linked to super fog conditions occurred on Louisiana highways, prompting increased warnings ahead of the Super Bowl weekend
With thousands of fans expected to travel to New Orleans for Super Bowl festivities, meteorologists are closely monitoring weather conditions.
The combination of ongoing marsh fires and high humidity increases the risk of super fog developing, especially in low-lying areas and along major highways leading into the city.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and state police have issued warnings for drivers to exercise extreme caution, particularly in the early morning hours.
“If you encounter dense fog, reduce your speed, use low-beam headlights, and avoid sudden braking,” said a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police
