Dense Fog in Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Widespread, yet relatively brief, dense fog developed within the Central Yampa River Basin early on the morning of January 6. The KCAG ASOS at the Craig-Moffat Airport reported 1/4-mile visibility due to freezing fog for over two hours, and the KHDN AWOS at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport reported about an hour of 1/4-mile visibility due to freezing fog. No reports of injuries, damages, or fatalities were received.

A moderate surge of moisture accompanied by a transient shortwave swept southeastwards through the Intermountain West on January 5 and 6, bringing rain and snow to the west slope of Colorado. Heavier bands of precipitation developed over northwestern Colorado valleys, leaving the near-surface environment saturated even as high pressure filled in throughout the night. As temperatures cooled with clearing skies, widespread dense fog developed within some of these northwestern Colorado valleys.