Dense Fog — West Central Deserts, Arizona

2015-05-16 · West Central Deserts, Arizona

Event narrative

An unseasonably strong upper level low pressure system created wet conditions over the west central deserts which led to patchy dense fog during the morning hours on May 16th. At 0640MST, a trained weather spotter 2 miles northwest of Wenden estimated visibility reduced to one quarter of a mile in dense fog. The dense fog resulted in hazardous morning driving conditions; fortunately there were no accidents reported due to the dense fog. A Dense Fog Advisory was issued for the area beginning at 0714MST and continuing through 0948MST.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably strong upper level low pressure system produced showers and thunderstorms across the lower elevations of southern Arizona during the day on May 15th. The wet conditions allowed for the formation of patchy dense fog over the western Arizona deserts during the morning hours on May 16th; the dense fog extended westward to the lower Colorado River valley and affected the airport at Blythe California. No accidents or injuries were reported due to the sharply reduced visibilities in dense fog.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 575730. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.