Evansville Blanketed in Dense Fog Monday Morning

National Weather Service issues advisory as radiation fog forms in Tri-State region.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Much of the Tri-State area around Evansville, Indiana woke up to a dense layer of fog on Monday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Dense Fog Advisory. The fog was caused by ideal conditions for "radiation fog" to form, as clear skies and calm winds allowed surface temperatures to drop and reach the dew point, causing moisture to condense into suspended water droplets.

Why it matters

Radiation fog can significantly reduce visibility, posing a safety hazard for drivers and travelers. The Tri-State region, which includes Evansville, is prone to these fog events due to its geography near rivers and valleys. Understanding the meteorological conditions that lead to radiation fog can help residents and officials better prepare for and respond to these weather events.

The details

As Sunday night transitioned to Monday morning, high pressure settled over the Tri-State area, bringing clear skies and calm winds - perfect conditions for radiation fog to form. Without cloud cover to trap heat, the ground radiated warmth back into the atmosphere overnight, causing surface temperatures to drop and reach the dew point. This allowed moisture to condense into the suspended water droplets that make up the dense fog. Rising temperatures and southerly winds later in the morning helped dissipate most of the fog before noon.

  • The fog formed overnight as temperatures dropped and reached the dew point.
  • The Dense Fog Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky on Monday morning.
  • The fog began to dissipate by mid-morning as temperatures rose and southerly winds picked up.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather advisories and warnings.

Keith Cooley

A senior forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“What typically happens is we end up with light winds, and when you have light winds and the skies clearing off it sets the stage for temperatures to cool off near the surface. Basically, you get a cloud at the surface.”

— Keith Cooley, Senior Forecaster (courierpress.com)

“You can actually see the outline of the rivers that are in the area.”

— Keith Cooley, Senior Forecaster (courierpress.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service forecasts unseasonably warm temperatures in the Tri-State region for the next few days, with the potential for severe thunderstorms on Thursday as a cold front moves through.

The takeaway

Radiation fog events like the one that blanketed Evansville on Monday morning are a common occurrence in the Tri-State region due to its geography and weather patterns. Understanding the meteorological conditions that lead to these fog events can help residents and officials better prepare for and respond to them, ensuring the safety of drivers and travelers.