Fog, low clouds settle over Inland NW

The forecast for the next several days could be summed up by one word: dreary. Winter is going to let up on the rain and snow and bring a multi-day stretch of foggy weather. Stagnant air is possible across the Inland Northwest, forecasters said. When the fog lifts, the skies are likely to stay gray as cool air in the lower elevations will keep stratus clouds overhead. Moisture from Monday’s storm has ensured that the lower atmosphere will remain saturated. The National Weather Service this morning said that fog across the region could reduce visibilities to a quarter mile. Forecasters also warned that some areas might drop below freezing, creating a chance of black ice. Spokane International Airport at 7 a.m. was reporting fog and visibility of a half mile and a temperature of 33. It was 35 at Felts Field, 36 in Coeur d’Alene, 33 in Deer Park and 35 in Pullman. Temperatures through the rest of the week should hover a few degrees above and a few degrees below this morning’s readings. Higher air pressure from the southwest is moving over the region in the upper atmosphere, essentially putting a lid on the gray conditions in the Columbia Basin and valleys of the region for the time being. Mountain areas may well see milder conditions and sunshine. The next chance for clearing the cold foggy air will be the arrival of a weak weather system to the north of the region by the end of the week. That could draw enough fresh air to dry out the lower atmosphere and allow the sun to appear on Saturday and Sunday.