Brandon Weatherz: Smoky and temporarily cool

The cold front that brought yesterday’s storms is still affecting our weather today. It’s responsible for bringing wildfire smoke back to the surface, breezy northwest winds, and one cooler day before another warm up arrives. Smoke will gradually move in from the northwest through the morning and into the afternoon reducing visibility, causing a strong smell, and bringing air quality that is expected to be unhealthy for all. Everyone should limit outdoor activities, and unusually sensitive people should remain indoors. Minnesota’s Air Quality Alert goes until 11 pm Friday, and it’s possible it will need to be extended. Wisconsin’s Alert lasts through the weekend until 6 am Monday.

You feel the difference out there today as highs stay in upper 60s to mid-70s. Tonight will be similarly cool to what we saw Tuesday morning with lows ranging from low 40s to low 50s. The warming trend starts tomorrow with highs in mid-70s to low 80s. By Saturday, highs top off in mid-80s to mid-90s across the Northland. Dew points by then will be well in the 60s, leading to a humid heat. A cold front rolls through from the north by Sunday, but highs will still be above average. The weather pattern will keep us generally warm and dry well into next week.

Today: Cooler, breezy, and becoming smoky. Mix of clouds and sun. High 72. NW wind 15-20 mph.

Tonight: Clear. Low 51. WNW wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny and smoky. High 79. S wind 5-15 mph.

Tomorrow night: Mostly clear. Low 62. S wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot with a slight chance for showers. High 89. S wind 5-15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 83. NE wind 10-15 mph.

Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a slight chance for showers. High 79. E wind 10-15 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 82. E wind 10-15 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 80. E wind 5-15 mph.