Dense Fog — E Central S.j. Valley, California

2007-11-03 · E Central S.j. Valley, California

Wider weather episode

In the wake of the severe weather outbreak that hit the central and southern San Joaquin Valley on October 29th, there were pools of standing water in areas that received the heaviest rains. With an upper-level ridge providing a stable environment, and moisture from these pools recharging the airmass near the ground, patchy fog formed during the overnight and early morning hours. During the first few days of November, the densest fog developed in the Merced-Atwater and the Lemoore-Visalia-Selma areas. Shortly after sunrise on November 3rd, one dense fog patch drifted over the 99 Freeway with tragic results. A series of accidents, involving a total of 87 vehicles, including 11 big rigs, resulted in two deaths and 41 injuries. The California Highway Patrol stated that this event was the among the worst weather-related pileups in San Joaquin Valley history.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 67789. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.