Dense Fog — Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma, California

2021-12-03 · Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma, California

Event narrative

Several webcams showed visibility below 1000 feet. California Highway Patrol reported a two vehicle accident involving a semi-trailer and a Chevrolet Astro minivan on SR 145 between Jensen Ave. and North Ave. 3 miles south of Kerman at 658 PST. The driver of the Astro was killed in the accident and the three passengers were injured. Visibility was reported to be below 100 feet at the time of the accident. California Highway Patrol reported also reported another fog related collision at the intersection of SR 145 and North Ave. at 728 PST which involved three vehicles. Several school districts either opened late or delayed or cancelled bus service.

Wider weather episode

Little change in the upper air pattern occurred from the previous day. Clear skies, light winds and inversion conditions in the San Joaquin Valley allowed for areas of dense fog to form in Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties in the central San Joaquin Valley during the early morning hours and the fog resulted in several multi-vehicle accidents including two which had fatalities. Traffic was paced during the morning commute on SR 99 north of Madera and several school districts had delayed openings. The fog lifted into a low cloud deck by late morning and dissipated during the afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 988101. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.