Dense Fog — Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

2024-12-29 · Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

Around 6AM local time, the K4V0 AWOS at Rangely Airport in Rangely, CO began reporting visibilities of 1/4 mile or less. Satellite imagery also provided a gauge of the extent of the dense fog across the Lower Yampa River Valley. As the sun came up, airfield cameras provided by the Federal Aviation Administration and road cameras provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation helped visually confirm the extent of the dense fog. This dense fog lingered through the morning before beginning to lift around 12PM. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

As several weak systems moved through the area during the last week of 2024, they helped to create pools of rich moisture trapped in the lower elevation valleys. These pools of moisture condensed during the overnight period into widespread areas of dense fog. The lower elevation river valleys of eastern Utah and western Colorado were mainly effected.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1226699. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.