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

2018-01-15 · W Central S.j. Valley, California

Event narrative

California Highway Patrol reported dense fog on Interstate 5 from State Highway 198 to Panoche Rd. and in and around Coalinga.

Wider weather episode

The low cloud deck that prevailed over much of the San Joaquin Valley on the 13th persisted through the afternoon of the 14th. This inhibited fog from forming on the morning of the 14th. However, a weak system moving north of the area helped break up much of the stratus deck which allowed for dense fog to form on the morning of the 15th as winds became light and skies cleared out. California Highway Patrol paced traffic along Interstate 5 for several hours until the fog lifted into a stratus deck by midday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 728841. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.