Spokane, Washington – Gray skies hang low over eastern Washington this morning, muting the sunrise and holding cold air tight to the ground. Calm winds and trapped moisture are creating a stagnant, hazy feel across the Inland Northwest, a setup that can quietly worsen air quality and make winter travel trickier than it looks on MLK Day.
According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday for Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and much of the Upper Columbia Basin. Light winds and a shallow inversion are allowing pollutants to build near the surface, especially in valleys and urban corridors.
In Spokane Valley, downtown Spokane, Airway Heights, and Liberty Lake, fog may thicken at times, reducing visibility during errands and holiday travel. With afternoon temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 30s, any damp pavement could refreeze after sunset, increasing the risk of black ice on I-90, U.S. 2, and neighborhood side streets.
Sensitive groups, including children, seniors, and those with heart or lung conditions, are urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity. To be fair, conditions may look calm, but stagnant air often hides its impacts until irritation or breathing issues appear.
By Wednesday, gradual clearing is expected as a weak system nudges winds higher. Meteorologists are also watching midweek changes that could reset air quality and bring colder nights back into focus. More advisories may follow if calm conditions linger.
Five-Day Weather Outlook for Spokane, WA
Today (MLK Day): Cloudy, areas of fog, high near 35
Tuesday: Morning clouds, gradual clearing, high near 38
Wednesday: Partly sunny, colder morning, high near 37
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 36
Friday: Partly sunny, brisk, high near 35
