A few weeks ago I addressed the concept that it can be raining outside while the radar picture is totally dry (If you missed it here is the LINK)...well that's happening all over the place this morning. Low level drizzle and shower activity is impacting much of Maine while the radar picture shows only a few showers over the Midcoast and Downeast. This low level moisture will eventually get pushed out of most of the state, but the morning will be a bit gloomy and damp.
Today: Showers continue, especially along the coastline, through around 11 AM. After that look for clearing from west to east bringing sunshine to the mountains early while the Midcoast will wait until around 1 PM. Most of us will end up with at least a 50/50 mixture of sun and clouds by lunch time. Unfortunately Downeast will have a hard time clearing at all as the front lingers just to the east. Showers will continue until 3 PM there with mostly cloudy skies remaining in place through the day. Temperatures will stay in the 60s in most spots with some warmer readings towards Berlin, NH associated with more sunshine.
Tonight: Quiet and partly cloudy through around 11 PM as we are between fronts at that point. By midnight a cold front will enter the state from the west and produce some shower and thunderstorm activity over western Maine. The mountains have the best chance to see a few rumbles and downpours as the front will still have a few convective characteristics left over from the daylight hours, but by the time the front pushes to the coastline the chance of thunderstorms will be minimal. Northern and eastern Maine will stay dry through the night, awaiting the cold front that will push through during the day.
Sunday: Showers will push through Portland between 3AM-6AM, the Midcoast 5AM-AM and linger over Downeast through 11 AM. The result will be more sunshine the further west you live. It should be sunny by 11 AM in most spots, with the last stubborn clouds exiting eastern Maine by 1 PM. After that look for a beautiful afternoon full of sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the 60s.
With high pressure pushing in behind the cold front, both Monday and Tuesday should be fantastic. Look for mostly sunny skies, light winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.
Next front will move through on Wednesday afternoon with some showers and thunderstorms likely by late in the day. After that we reset to more sunshine for Thursday and Friday.
Big Picture: With Fall officially beginning today at 10:49 AM the medium range looks every bit the part. Although the pattern isn't all that wet (remember Fall is statistically the rainy season in Maine), temperatures will stay in the 60s with just a few stray low 70s here and there. I still don't see that last kick of summer that often sneaks up on Maine in September (there's a phrase for this that is now HORRIBLY inappropriate to use) even going out in the 15 day range. As the weeks push on, the chances of another 80-85 F day greatly diminish. So my advice to you is this: Take down the AC, bring out the fall clothes and pick some apples.
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