FogCast · Franconia Notch, NH

Fog Forecast for Franconia Notch

Know before you drive: FogCast checks the conditions that produce photogenic fog

Reading current conditions…
Current Conditions
Fog Potential:
Humidity
Wind
Temp
Dew Point Gap
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  • 📈 Full FogCast score (0–100)
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Why fog is hard to predict

Humidity alone isn't enough. Wind alone isn't enough. Cloud cover alone isn't enough. Photogenic valley fog requires several conditions to line up at once, and most weather apps don't read them together.

Dew Point Depression
When air temperature and dew point converge below 2°C, the air is near saturation. This is the single strongest fog predictor and the first thing FogCast checks.
Wind Speed
Fog needs calm air. Below 5 km/h is ideal. Above 15 km/h, fog disperses before it can pool in the valley. A standard weather app won't flag this combination.
Overnight Sky Clarity
Clear overnight skies let the ground cool rapidly, pushing surface temperatures toward the dew point. Counterintuitively, clouds overnight suppress radiation fog.
Temperature Trend
FogCast reads the overnight temperature arc. If temps are converging toward the dew point hour by hour, fog probability increases significantly by pre-dawn.
Check today's FogCast

What the app shows you
FogCast score and forecast in LightCast app FogCast score and forecast in LightCast app

Full FogCast score, fog type, chase-or-skip verdict, and 10-day outlook — all in the app.
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Set a FogCast threshold once. The app will alert you when conditions at your saved locations look promising, so you're not manually checking at 4am.

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Fog photography at Franconia Notch

Franconia Notch is a narrow mountain pass in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, flanked by the Franconia Ridge on the east and the Kinsman Ridge on the west, with Echo Lake and Profile Lake on the valley floor. The notch funnels cold air drainage from both ridgelines, and the combination of enclosed valley, bodies of water, and high surrounding terrain makes it one of the most reliable radiation fog locations in northern New England. Morning fog on Echo Lake with the ridgelines emerging above is a classic White Mountains photograph.

Profile Lake — the former reflecting pool below the now-collapsed Old Man of the Mountain — and the notch floor near Flume Gorge are the best fog photography positions at ground level. The Cannon Mountain aerial tramway gives access to above-fog views when conditions are right, with the notch and surrounding terrain visible below the cloud layer. Autumn foliage season, mid-September through mid-October, combined with valley fog produces exceptional color-and-mist photography. The fog season extends through November and into winter.

Franconia Notch fog follows the classic New England pattern: clear autumn nights after the passage of a high-pressure system, light winds, and moisture from the surrounding forest and lakes. If overnight temperatures are forecast to drop to 5°C or below with calm winds and dew point within 3°C, fog in the notch by 5 to 6am is very likely. The narrow valley geometry means fog can be extremely dense even when surrounding terrain is clear.



Frequently asked
Can I check FogCast on the website?
This page shows a preview of current conditions, including humidity, wind, temperature, and dew point. The full FogCast score, 7-day outlook, push notifications, and best shooting windows are available exclusively in the LightCast app for iOS.
Is FogCast free?
The current conditions preview on this page is free, no account needed. The full FogCast tool is in the LightCast Suite iOS app, which includes a 7-day free trial. After the trial it's $2.99/month, cancel anytime in the App Store.
Why use FogCast instead of checking humidity?
Humidity alone doesn't tell you whether photogenic fog is likely. High humidity with strong wind produces no fog at all. FogCast combines dew point depression, wind speed, overnight sky clarity, temperature trend, and visibility into a single score built specifically for fog photography planning.
What is FogCast's scoring scale?
FogCast scores fog conditions from 0 to 100. A score of 75 or above indicates dense fog is expected. 55 to 74 means fog is likely and worth chasing. 35 to 54 suggests patchy mist is possible. Below 35, conditions are unlikely to produce photogenic fog. The full score is available in the LightCast app.