We’re stuck in a weather pattern that’s keeping humid air at low levels of the atmosphere trapped under warmer air higher up. The result of this saturation is overcast skies, areas of freezing fog, and periods of freezing drizzle or light wintry mix. As such, our Wednesday morning commute features icy patches and times of reduced visibility. Temperatures start off very mild for this time of year in mid-20s to low 30s. Any ice on roads and sidewalks melts as we push near and above freezing today, then temps fall into similar territory tonight to allow for more icy patches.

Yet another result of this weather setup is stagnant air and elevated particulates. You may notice the air has an unpleasant odor because of this. So far, air quality levels have been moderate. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be monitoring whether or not an Air Quality Alert will become necessary as these conditions persist in the days ahead.

Areas of freezing drizzle or light wintry mix are most widespread today and tonight, then they should exit eastward across northwest Wisconsin through the day Thursday. A light glaze of ice is possible, but beyond that, little to no measurable precipitation is expected. Periods of patchy fog are expected to continue in the Northland today through Friday morning. Dry weather should be with us this weekend through the start of next week. All the while, temperatures stay well above Duluth’s daily average low of 2° and high of 20°. Highs in the mid-30s and lows well in the 20s repeat each day through Monday, and we may even see low 40s in the Northland by next Tuesday.

Today: Cloudy with patchy fog and areas of freezing drizzle. High 34. SSW wind 5-10 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy with patchy fog and areas of freezing drizzle. Low 29. SW wind 2-8 mph.

Tomorrow: Cloudy with patchy fog and areas of freezing drizzle. High 34. SW wind 2-8 mph.

Tomorrow night: Cloudy with patchy fog. Low 29. N wind 2-8 mph.

Friday: Cloudy with patchy fog. High 35. W wind 2-8 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High 35. WNW wind 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High 35. SW wind 5-10 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. High 36. W wind 5-10 mph.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 40. W wind 5-10 mph.