Dense Fog — Merced and Madera, California

2021-01-06 · Merced and Madera, California

Event narrative

Merced and Madera reported visibility below a quarter mile. At 0050 PST, a two car collision took place in Madera with California Highway Patrol reporting visibility below 1000 feet at the time. A chain link fence was damaged due to the collision, but there were no injuries.

Wider weather episode

High pressure built over central California on January 5. With mainly clear skies and light winds, areas of dense fog formed in the San Joaquin Valley during the early morning hours of January 6. The fog did cause a few automobile accidents as it formed over a widespread area. The fog lifted into a stratus deck by late morning as a weak system moved through northern California then dissipated by midday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 927829. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.