As is common during late summer in Maine, we've experienced two distinct seasons in under 24 hours. Yesterday we were stuck in the upper 60s all day and I watched "Halloween II"...kicking off my yearly campy horror movie marathon. (I realized last night that the "Halloween" franchise actually originated many of the cliches we now take for granted in bad horror movies. 1) the killer moves at a speed similar to someone with a broken foot trudging through a vat of honey 2) there will be gratuitous nudity. It will often but unappealing nudity, but there will be nudity 3) the victim has an escape IQ of a toddler) Now, full circle, today is a jolt of summer. It's sunny, it's warm and it's even a bit humid.
The rollercoaster will continue through the weekend as a strong cold front approaches from the west.
Today: Mostly sunny skies prevail for most of the state. Temperatures push into the mid 80s in places like Sanford, Fryeburg and Lewiston while staying in the 70s in Bangor, Rockland and Bar Harbor (maybe 60s in BH actually). Dew points are pretty high, in the mid 60s, so there is a distinct sticky feeling to the air. There is a very weak upper level disturbance indicated on some of the small scale computer models so I've put in a VERY isolated shower or thunderstorm this afternoon over northern and western Maine particularly. I wouldn't sweat it though, it looks like a 10% chance or so.
Tonight: Partly cloudy skies dominate and some pretty thick fog develops. Look for at least half of the state to be socked in by tomorrow morning. Lows will range between 60-65 F.
Saturday: As a strong cold front approaches from the west clouds will overspread the state. Even though the boundary will still be over western NY in the morning hours, I'm thinking mostly cloudy conditions are a good bet through the day for two reasons 1) onshore flow. With morning fog and low clouds it will be hard to scour out that low level moisture with wind off the water 2) warm front draped over the mountains bringing clouds to western Maine. Even though I'm not optimistic on sunshine I do think most of us will stay dry during the daylight hours. The exception will be western Maine and the mountains, they may start developing pre-frontal showers as early as 11 AM. Temperatures will max out in the mid to upper 70s and humidity will remain high.
Saturday Night: The cold front moves through. Most computer models time out the passage such that it's after midnight. There will likely be a pretty solid line of showers and thunderstorms moving west to east in the early morning hours on Sunday (i.e. it's going to wake you up). Some of the thunderstorms could produce very heavy rainfall so I'll keep an eye out for localized flooding.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms will continue through the morning hours as the front pushes eastward. By mid morning or so southern Maine will dry out and begin to break up the clouds. It will take longer over Downeast Maine where the front lingers until noon or so. However the majority of the state will see sunshine by the afternoon as MUCH drier air rushes in on northwest winds.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: Weather wise these three days will kick a$$ and take names. As a big ridge of high pressure builds in look for mostly sunny skies, dry air and temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. Overnight will be distinctly chilly, dropping into the low 40s, but that's not unheard of this time of year.
Twitter: I need some new campy, horror movies to add to Netflix. I prefer they be from the 80s or even 70s because the newer stuff just isn't as radical. Tweet some at me and help a brother out...@keithcarsonWCSH