Freezing Fog — Monroe, Michigan

2006-11-24 · Monroe, Michigan

Event narrative

Freezing fog, accompanied by near zero visibilities, created very slippery conditions on area roads. This led to numerous accidents during the morning rush hour traffic. A semi-truck rollover accident at the northbound I-75 and I-275 junction resulted in the death of a person (indirect) at about 0800 EST. The road was closed for several hours as clean-up operations at the scene were hampered by the dense fog.

Wider weather episode

A high pressure system set up a favorable situation for fog formation. Light winds off of Lake Erie and Lake St Clair carried a marine layer of low clouds and dense fog inland across the Detroit area, mainly along and south of I-94. Visibilities were near zero at times during the rush hour traffic. Temperatures in the 20's allowed the dense fog to freeze on area roadways, creating slippery conditions and numerous accidents. By 1000 EST, temperatures had climbed above freezing and visibilities had begun to improve.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 6565. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.