Dense Fog — Tulare County, California

2020-01-23 · Tulare County, California

Event narrative

Visibility below a quarter mile was reported in Visalia and Porterville. Webcams showed very low visibility in Visalia and Tulare. California Highway Patrol reported visibility below 600 feet on SR 99 in Tulare. Four vehicles were involved in a fatal collision due to dense fog at the intersection of Ave. 56 and Road 176 between Ducor and Earlimart around 700 am. Several school districts either opened late or delayed bus service.

Wider weather episode

High pressure kept clear skies and light wind over the area during the morning of January 23. With inversion conditions persisting in the San Joaquin Valley, widespread dense fog formed and persisted across much of the valley until late morning. The fog was responsible for at least two multi-vehicle accidents (one fatal) and resulted in several school systems either opening late or delaying bus service.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 865786. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.