The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory at 12:09 a.m. on Sunday in effect until 10 a.m. for Northern Clinton, Northern Centre, Southern Centre, Northern Lycoming, Southern Clinton and Southern Lycoming as well as Warren, McKean, Potter, Elk, Cameron, Clearfield, Tioga, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Montour, Northumberland and Columbia counties.

The weather service adds, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” explains the weather service. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions

If a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility often drops to just a quarter-mile or less. These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:

Reduce speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep a safe distance:

• Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility strategy:

• In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.

Limited parking options:

• If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

I thought I was one of those people that could take or leave a dessert. I love and enjoy a great dinner, then on the verge of feeling uncomfortable, the waiter would suggest a classic signature dessert that the restaurant is famous for.

That behavior became the norm and desserts are part of the meal only if it truly is just “one bite.”

The dessert is the cap, the end all end to an amazing dinner, it has become another significant part of your dining experience. The term “Save room for dessert” has rung through restaurants and homes more frequently lately.

Food.com and allrecipes.com had lists of the most popular desserts by state. I take these lists seriously and there are desserts on the list that I disagree with, especially after frequenting some of the great restaurants in each state.

Here are the results and my take on the most popular desserts in each state.

Delaware – Banana cake and peach pie

Funny that the study chose peach pie. I feel like I am in Georgia when in Delaware and have had homemade peach pie at restaurants and at my friend’s home in Delaware. In trying to find the significance of the peach pie I came up empty. The climate, soil, and availability in the state of the peaches do not back the claim but it’s there.

As for the banana cake, I have had a taste once or twice in a restaurant in Delaware, again the significance is head scratching to me.

New York – Cheesecake

This is true! At good restaurants in New York cheesecake rules the roost. Most of the restaurants take pride in their cheesecake and many of them state that it is “the best” in the city.

I laugh at that, but I order it to judge each restaurant that I go to. The Plaza, Keens Steakhouse and Peter Luger’s serve the best I had.

Pennsylvania – Whoopie Pies and Apple Dumplings

Whoopie pies are good, and they are at some restaurants in Pennsylvania, particularly close to Philadelphia. For those of you who have not indulged in whoopie pies picture an oversized Oreo but made with chocolate cake and white fluffy creamy filling.

The apple dumpling is a fan favorite and is served warm and occasionally with vanilla ice cream. There is no question that I prefer an apple dumpling over whoopie pie.

New Jersey – The Cannoli and Saltwater Taffy

Trust me saltwater taffy isn’t even close to making my list, and you can tell the study that named taffy as a dessert has never been to Jersey. Taffy is for the boardwalk, other than one or two “tourist” places to eat I have never seen it on the menu.

The cannoli is a different story. It is a staple as the cheesecake is in New York. With the many Italian restaurants that grace our state the cannoli is always put to the test and compared to other restaurants. There is so much pride in that dessert.

Blueberry pie is the official dessert of New Jersey, but you can bet the cannoli gives it a run for the money.

Save room for dessert and enjoy the choices put forth.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

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