Beautiful and warm the next few days; becoming unsettled later this week

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Good afternoon, and Happy Monday everyone. Skies on the sunnier side this Monday afternoon as high pressure has developed over New England and New York after the low-pressure system this weekend exited to our east. Temperatures vary from the upper 60s to mid 70s as of 12:30pm. Visibility is great statewide. Wind gusts are peaking right up around 20 mph.

Today is my pick of the week. Skies will be on the sunnier side, besides just a few clouds passing through during the afternoon. Highs will vary from the low 70s to the low 80s. North/SW gusts will reach 20 mph.

Low temps tonight will vary from the upper 40s to mid 50s with mostly clear skies accompanied by some patchy morning fog. West/SW gusts will reach 15-20 mph.

NORTHERN LIGHTS POTENTIAL

NOAA has issued a G3 geomagnetic storm Watch today and a G2 geomagnetic storm Watch for Tuesday. This will result in a KP Index value of 7 for Monday (today) and a KP Index value of 5 on Tuesday.

The northern lights won’t be visible during the day when the geomagnetic storm is at is most intense, but a KP 5-6 is still expected overnight. This means the northern lights might be visible to the naked eye here in Maine tonight. The farther north you are, the better the chance.

Due to the extended day light this time of year as we near the summer solstice, some light will remain in the sky until about 11pm. And the first hints of light in the morning will be around 3am. So the best time to view will be during 11pm-3am.

Whether you will be able to view the northern lights with your own eye is iffy and depends on how far North you are, but I am feeling more confident that phones will be able to pick it up across Maine due to their prolonged exposure.

BACK TO THE FORECAST

Another warm and beautiful day is expected on Tuesday. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny. Highs will vary from the mid 70s to upper 80s with WNW/SW gusts reaching 20-25 mph.

Wednesday will start with partly cloudy skies in the morning. However, skies will cloud over during the afternoon with some late day showers entering western portions of Maine. Temperatures will remain very warm, from the low 70s to mid 80s, but dewpoints will also become slightly sticky. SW gusts will reach 20 mph.

An unsettled stretch of weather is trending towards the later portions this week, with precipitation becoming more likely in Maine by Wednesday night. Scattered showers and storms are possible on Thursday, as well as Friday. However, chances on Friday look to hold mostly to northern and western locations. Greater amounts of cloud cover will build in, but highs will remain warm in the 70s and low to mid 80s for most. Dewpoints will also become a bit sticky for a good chunk of the state.

The weekend will start with increased chances of precipitation. Showers and storms are possible on Saturday. Temperatures will remain warm with greater amounts of cloud cover. Sunday is trending on the dry side as of now.

MONDAY: Highs from low 70s to low 80s. Sunnier skies. Few midday/PM clouds in spots. N/SW gusts reach 20 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs from mid 70s to upper 80s. Partly to mostly sunny skies. WNW/SW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from low 70s to mid 80s. Partly cloudy AM. Cloudier PM with late day showers possible to the west. Slightly sticky dewpoints. SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from mid 60s to mid 80s. Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers & storms possible. Sticky dewpoints. ENE gusts reach 15-20 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from mid 60s to low 80s. Partly cloudy AM. Mostly cloudy PM. Scattered showers & storms possible north & west. Slightly sticky dewpoints. SSE gusts reach 15-20 mph.

SATURDAY: Highs from mid 60s to mid 80s. Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered showers & storms possible. Slightly sticky dewpoints. W/SW gusts reach 20 mph.