Dense Fog — La Sal & Abajo Mountains, Utah

2026-01-01 · La Sal & Abajo Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

Widespread dense fog developed near the Abajo mountains during the afternoon and evening of January 1. The KU64 AWOS at the Monticello Airport reported several hours of 1/4-mile visibility due to dense fog. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

A deep Pacific trough brought moist southwesterly flow to much of the western CONUS on January 1. A weak upper-level jet streak arrived in coincidence with the surge of moisture, prompting widespread precipitation in eastern Utah throughout the morning of the 1st. Strong cold air advection behind the storms rapidly saturated valleys, and areas of dense fog developed during the afternoon and lasting through the morning of January 2.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1309210. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.