Dense Fog — Polk, Florida

2008-01-09 · Polk, Florida

Event narrative

A controlled burn from the previous afternoon was still producing smoke as patches of dense fog began to develop around 4AM. The smoke and fog interacted to produce super-fog in about a 2 mile area encompassing Interstate 4 near Polk City between US 27 and the Polk Parkway. The super-fog caused zero visibility for motorists and the result was a 70 vehicle pileup with 5 fatalities and 38 injuries.

Wider weather episode

High pressure in place across the area allowed for moist low levels and light winds overnight. Patches of dense fog developed around 4AM and interacted with lingering smoke from a controlled burn near Polk City to produce about a 2 mile area of super-fog over Interstate 4 between US 27 and the Polk Parkway.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 77587. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.