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 in spots. A few showers are reaching the Western Mountains in portions of Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset counties. Temperatures vary from the mid 50s to low 60s as of 8:30am, with good visibility and light 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 has been issued by the SPC for far southwestern 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.

Tonight will start with cloudy skies accompanied by a few scattered showers and storms. However, after midnight, just a few showers are possible, mostly to the North during the early AM hours. Patchy morning fog is possible. Some breaks in clouds are possible along the Southern and Midcoast. Low temps will vary from the upper 40s to upper 50s. SSE to West gusts will only reach 15-20 mph.

Sunday will be another cloudier day with shower and storm chances. Rain showers are expected across Northern Maine during the morning, with showers also possible across inland locations. By the afternoon, showers are expected to be more widespread, reaching the coast. A few non-severe thunderstorms are possible during the midday/afternoon. By the evening hours, showers will taper off across Northwestern locations with sunshine developing to end the day. All rain will exit Maine around sunset. Rainfall totals will vary from a quarter inch near the Capital region to an inch for a few Downeast locations. Highs will vary from the upper 50s to mid 70s. West to NNW gusts will become windy during the afternoon/evening, reaching 25-40 mph.

After a wet weekend, Monday will be a beautiful and dry day with sunnier skies. High temps will warm up, from the upper 60s to upper 70s. North gusts will remain a little breezy, reaching 20-30 mph.

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

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. Few AM showers West. PM scattered showers & storms. Marginal risk of severe storms SW. SE/South gusts reach 20-25 mph.

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

MONDAY: Highs from upper 60s to upper 70s. Sunnier skies. North gusts reach 20-30 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs from low 70s to upper 80s. Mostly sunny skies. NW/SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

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

THURSDAY: Highs from upper 60s to upper 80s. Partly cloudy. Few PM showers/storms possible. SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.