Dense Fog — Dubuque, Iowa

2008-01-05 to 2008-01-08 · Dubuque, Iowa

Event narrative

According to the Dubuque Iowa Telegraph-Herald, a multi-vehicle accident occurred in dense fog in Dubuque county on Monday January 7, 2008. The wreck resulted in the indirect fatality to a 42 year old male motorist, and involved several vehicles including a semi-tractor trailer rig. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 20 about a mile west of Epworth. Another wreck was reported near the Dubuque Regional Airport, and resulted in two indirect injuries to motorists.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system tracking slowly out of the Rockies and into the Plains, set up a sustained southerly flow of warmer and increasingly moist air into the area. This flow out of the Gulf of Mexico across snow depths of 5 to 12 inches, led to several prolonged periods of dense fog January 5-8, 2008. Visibilities were frequently at 1/4 mile or less and occasionally near zero, which made for treacherous driving conditions. Several accidents were reported on Monday January 7 in eastern Iowa due to the fog, resulting in one fatality and 3 injuries. The indirect fatality occurred in Dubuque County near Epworth when a motorist was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 74388. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.