Dense Fog — Animas River Basin, Colorado

2026-01-03 · Animas River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

Widespread dense fog developed within the Animas River Basin on the morning of January 3. The KDRO ASOS at the Durango-La Plata County Airport reported multiple prolonged periods of 1/4 mile visibility from dense fog prior to midnight. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

Wider weather episode

Potent surface moisture lingered within Colorado valleys overnight on January 2 and 3 resulting from widespread rain and snow over the prior two days. A deep upper-level ridge moving overhead made way for clear skies though. With the resulting radiational cooling, overnight surface conditions became saturated and supported widespread dense fog development.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1309241. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.