Freezing fog returns to much of High Desert

The freezing fog that blanketed much of Central Oregon early Tuesday returned after nightfall, causing more travel issues amid the murky gloom.

Both the Redmond and Bend airports reporting freezing fog and quarter-mile to half-mile visibility for much of the night. A Horizon Air flight from Portland to Redmond arrived shortly before 10 p.m., about 40 minutes late.

On places like Bend’s Third Street, it again proved difficult for cars to see the road in front of them, though Deschutes County 911 dispatchers didn’t report any fog-related emergencies.

The National Weather Service held out a chance that winds would pick up just enough to sweep out the fog, but NewsChannel 21 meteorologist Travis Knudsen said he didn’t believe the passing weak warm front would mix out the fog, persisting overnight “until sunrise when a bit of daytime heating will break it down.”

Fog — mostly of the freezing variety — shrouded areas of the High Desert Tuesday morning, canceling some flights at Redmond Airport and also causing crashes.

Visibility was down to a quarter-mile or less over higher elevations of north-central Oregon, and in some lower areas as well, though the sun began to break through in some areas after sunrise.

The National Weather Service issued a freezing fog advisory until 4 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters said an upslope northerly flow would make for areas of dense freezing fog through the afternoon, with visibility a quarter-mile or less, especially in areas between Madras and Redmond.

Some — but not all — areas could see improvement in the afternoon or evening hours, the NWS said.

At Roberts Field, the United Express 6:25 a.m. flight to Portland was canceled, as was the 5:45 a.m. flight to San Francisco

ODOT reported Highway 97 was closed for a time south of Shaniko due to several crashes, some involving semi trucks.