Dense Fog Blankets Chicago Area

Travel difficulties and temperature impacts expected throughout the day

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A dense fog advisory is in effect for the Chicago area until 3 p.m. today, with the fog expected to linger into tomorrow morning. The fog will keep temperatures stuck near 40 degrees and make travel hazardous. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for Friday morning, with another round possible Friday night. Conditions are expected to clear for the weekend before another storm system arrives on Tuesday.

Why it matters

Dense fog can significantly impact visibility and travel safety, especially for commuters and those relying on air or ground transportation. The prolonged fog event will also suppress temperatures in the Chicago area, which could have broader impacts on businesses, events, and daily life.

The details

The dense fog advisory covers the majority of the Chicago area and is highly unusual for this time of year. The fog may not improve much even into Friday morning, which could cause issues for any live weather reporting. While there is little chance of rain today, showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday morning, followed by another round Friday night. Temperatures will struggle to reach the 40s due to the persistent fog and cloud cover.

  • The dense fog advisory is in effect until 3 p.m. today (March 5, 2026).
  • Showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday morning (March 6, 2026).
  • Another round of showers and storms is possible Friday night (March 6, 2026).
  • The next storm system is expected to arrive on Tuesday (March 10, 2026).

The players

Mike Caplan

A Fox Chicago meteorologist who provided the information for this weather report.

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What they’re saying

“Dense fog is a serious problem this morning and will likely linger much of the day. Not only will travel be difficult because of the fog, it's going to have a distinct impact on our temperatures today.”

— Mike Caplan, Meteorologist (Fox32Chicago.com)

What’s next

The meteorologist will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates on the potential for severe storms on Friday.

The takeaway

This prolonged dense fog event in Chicago will create significant travel challenges and suppress temperatures, underscoring the need for residents to stay informed about rapidly changing weather conditions and plan accordingly.