Brandon Weatherz: Near-critical fire weather today

The breezy east wind we’ve had the last couple of days is still out there today with the familiar impacts. There’s a high risk for rip currents with a Beach Hazard Statement in effect until 9 pm. A light jacket is still needed by Lake Superior where the temp stays near 50. The Duluth International Airport will reach near 67, and low to mid-70s will fill out the rest of the Northland.

Cloud cover is thick in the morning with a stray sprinkle possible, then cloud cover breaks up in the afternoon. Relative humidity will be very low this afternoon, bringing near-critical fire weather. The dry air will allow for a chilly night with most areas in the 40s and lows approaching mid-30s in the typical cool areas. Wildfire smoke may return to the surface overnight across the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin.

Thursday will be dry and seasonable with a lighter east wind allowing for more limited lake influence on temperatures. Temps rise near 80 on Friday. A cold front swinging in from the north will bring a few showers and thunderstorms across the region Friday evening into Saturday morning. If we’re lucky, we’ll get around a tenth of an inch or so widespread. The dry conditions will continue to be exacerbated as we settle into another stretch of days without rain chances starting on Sunday.

Today: Mostly cloudy to start, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Breezy. High 67. E wind 10-15 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 44. E wind 5-15 mph.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High 72. E wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Partly cloudy. Low 50. E wind 2-8 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the evening. High 80. SW wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain: 30%.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. Breezy. High 69. E wind 10-15 mph.

Sunday: Sunny and breezy. High 68. E wind 10-15 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny. High 75. NE wind 5-10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 78. NW wind 5-10 mph.