PORTLAND (WGME) -- In typical Maine fashion, the upcoming holiday weekend will feature some ups and downs when it comes to weather.
Starting with Friday, it looks to get pretty toasty. Temperatures will surge into the 90s inland, while a sea breeze will keep the beaches in the 80s. If you're kicking off the weekend early, it looks like a great day to cool off by the ocean or lake. Other than some high clouds, we'll see lots of sunshine on Friday, so sunburns will happen quickly. It's a good idea to bring the sunscreen if you have outdoor plans this weekend.
The humidity will start to increase on Saturday. An approaching front could touch off some showers and thunderstorms. It does not look to be a washout. Any of nature's fireworks will be confined to the morning hours, with clearing skies and dry air moving in for the evening. The weather looks great for any early fireworks displays on Saturday night!
Sunday is the star of the holiday weekend. Dry air, mostly clear skies, highs in the upper 70s and low 80s will make for great weather for outdoor plans! Sunday looks like a great day to hit up the beach or the lakes, with the weather staying very nice for any fireworks shows during the evening hours.
The 4th of July itself also looks very warm, but we may be dodging a few showers or storms through the day, especially far inland and over the mountains. Showers and storms will likely quickly weaken as they make their way to the coast, with any showers and storms tapering off after sunset. Most of us will be completely dry and mostly clear for fireworks shows Monday evening. Highs on the 4th will reach the upper 70s to near 80 at the coast, with mid to even some upper 80s possible for inland towns. Certainly will be feeling like July for the 4th!
If you plan to head to the beach any day this long weekend, highs tide will be in the afternoon Friday through Monday, so be aware that beach space could be more limited in the afternoon. Low tide will be around 7:30PM on Friday, slowly getting later each day of the weekend with low tide on Monday being at 9:30PM. If you want a wide, open expanse of beach, the morning hours look best- low tide ranges from 7:30AM on Friday, to 9:30 AM on Monday.
Ocean temperatures remain cool, in the low 60s along the coast. For those travelling from out of state, be aware that while the air will be warm, the water will easily be cold enough to lead to cold shock and hypothermia if you're unprepared. If you're looking for ocean water at a more comfortable temperature, sheltered, calm bays and inlets will have the warmest water, with churned up water at the beaches likely to be coldest.
Area lakes and rives are much more tolerable, water temperatures are generally in the upper 60s and low 70s, with shallower spots in lakes likely even warmer. With the hot inland temperatures this holiday weekend in Maine, the water will feel refreshing and comfortable!