An unsettled weekend ahead with warm and dry weather returning next week

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Good morning, and happy Saturday everyone. Skies are mostly cloudy this morning, with a little bit of sunshine peeking through clouds in spots. A few showers are reaching the Western Mountains in portions of Oxford and Franklin counties. Temperatures vary from the mid 50s to low 60s as of 7:30am, with good visibility and calm winds for most.

Skies will be on the cloudier and dry side for most this morning, with a few showers possible across Western Maine. By the afternoon, more scattered showers are expected, with scattered thunderstorms also capable of developing later during the evening hours into the start of the overnight. Thunderstorms are expected to be non-severe for most of Maine. However, a marginal (Category 1) risk of severe thunderstorms is expected across Southern and Western portions of the state for the later evening hours. Rainfall totals will vary from a tenth to a quarter of an inch across the interstate and coast, while between a quarter to a half of an inch in Northern Maine. High temps will vary from the upper 50s to low 70s. SE/South gusts will reach 20-25 mph at their peak. I wouldn’t cancel any outdoor plans today, but I would have a rain jacket on standby and a place to shelter if any thunderstorms do pass through.

On Sunday, cloudier skies are expected with precipitation more consistent across Northern locations during the morning. A few showers are possible elsewhere. By the afternoon, rain will become widespread with a few non-severe thunderstorms possible. Rain will taper off from the NW to SE throughout the evening hours on Sunday. Rainfall totals will reach half an inch for most. High temps will vary from the upper 50s to mid 70s with NW to North gusts becoming quite windy during the second half of the day, reaching 25-40 mph.

Precipitation exits by Monday, with the start of the work week on the sunnier side. High temperatures will vary throughout the 70s with NNE gusts reaching 20-25 mph on Monday. It will be a great day to get outside or take care of those outdoor chores.

Plenty of sunshine will remain throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures soaring well into the 80s and even some low 90s across inland locations. 70s are more likely on the coast. Dewpoints will thankfully remain on the dry to comfy side.

The weather will stay warm in the 70s and 80s on Thursday and Friday; However, a few isolated showers and storms can’t be ruled out with building cloud cover.

SATURDAY: Highs from upper 50s to low 70s. Cloudier skies. AM/midday showers NW. PM scattered showers & storms. Marginal risk of severe storms SW. SE gusts reach 20-25 mph.

SUNDAY: Highs from upper 50s to mid 70s. Cloudier skies. AM showers, few storms Inland/North. PM widespread showers, few storms. NW to North gusts reach 25-40 mph.

MONDAY: Highs throughout the 70s. Sunnier skies. NNE gusts reach 20-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs from mid 70s to upper 80s. Mostly sunny skies. NW gusts reach 20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from upper 70s to low 90s. Mostly sunny AM. Partly cloudy PM. West gusts reach 15-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from low 70s to low 90s. Partly to mostly sunny early, becoming mostly cloudy during PM. Few showers/storms possible west. SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.