I'm going to keep this short today (it's a relative term with me) because it's nice out and I'm heading to the beach.
Our weather setup hasn't changed much from yesterday so look for a good deal of sunshine through the first half of the day as temperatures sky rocket into the mid to upper 80s. HOWEVER, this time around there is a weak upper level disturbance draped across central Maine. This disturbance, although barely visible on satellite this morning, will become the focus for some scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. The dynamics look super weak here so I'm thinking about a 15% chance of precipitation for most spots. In other words, don't cancel any outdoor plans...you'll probably be fine. High temperatures will end up 1-2 degrees cooler than Saturday in most spots, but still hot in the upper 80s.
Any showers and storms that develop this afternoon will die down quickly tonight and give way to partly cloudy conditions. Temperatures bottom out in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Our winds turn from west to northwest on Monday so look for cooler high temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s. The pattern will be similar to today, sunshine through the first half of the day with scattered showers and thunderstorms by the afternoon. Again, don't cancel anything, the chances look pretty low in most spots.
Tuesday will be a beautiful day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80s. (Another good beach day)
The 4th of July is a little more complicated unfortunately. It looks to me like we will get a good deal of sunshine through around noon-1 PM and then a decent chance of showers and storms develops. Unlike today and Monday they won't be super scattered in nature, there could be an actual line of activity pushing from west to east. It's still early, so if we are lucky the front will slow down a bit and the storms won't arrive until the late evening. But as it stands I'd plan for some afternoon shower/t-storm activity, especially across southern Maine. I know this is an important day for many but I can't do any better than that being still about 4 days out. I will refine the forecast and give you something to plan around as we get closer.
After the holiday I see a ridge. I see more heat. I see classic summer weather.
Sidenote: Jackie and I had a debate/guessing game trying to name the top 5 best selling artists in United States music history (they don't have to be from the US, but we are talking US sales only). This began because I thought The Beach Boys would definitely be in there. I was very wrong. Here they are and please note the VERY embarrassing #3 spot:
1. Beatles- duh
2. Elvis- Thanks the Rolling Sea is my personal favorite.
3. Garth Brooks- What the....is it too late to move to Canada?
4. Led Zeppelin- Stairway to Heaven is estimated to have the most radio play of any song in history DESPITE never being released as a single.
5. Eagles-Yeah, I dunno, they aren't bad I guess.They did have that one cool song about Motel 8.
The Beach Boys were NOT on the list..nor was Queen. I'm offended by both of these omissions.