ALPENA — The warm temperatures expected today won’t last, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kurz.

He said today the temperature will climb from the 40s into the mid 50s, but it will be a dreary day. There is a lot of rain to be expected across the state, he said.

“The more significant rainfall is going to be downstate. It will creep up into northern Michigan, mainly in Saginaw Bay. They’ll see one inch or more. It could be one or 1.5 in total rainfall in that area. That’s just the rainfall,” he said.

Farther north there will be a wintery mix.

“It’s been going here from sleet, to snow, to rain and back. Temperatures start to decline in overnight, transition to freezing rain in north of Alpena,” Kurz said. “There could be freezing rain in portions of Northeast lower as well. It still looks like there is icing potential in tip of the mitt and eastern upper Michigan.”

Due to the changes in temperatures and precipitation Kurz said people should prepare for foggy conditions.

“Do expect some fog. Temperatures will be going up with moisture in the region there will be good potential for fog. Areas that still have snow piles you’ll have moisture from snow. There will be quite a bit of fog next couple of days,” he said.

After today, he said, temperatures should normalize.

“Wednesday highs will be around 32 degrees. The remainder of the week, toward next weekend, they’ll be back in the mid to upper 30s,” he said. “We’re not looking at any significant cold. It will start to get a little more normal for late February. I don’t see any stretch of 40s or anything like that.”

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.