The humidity levels finally have returned to more manageable levels and will likely remain there throughout the first half of the upcoming weekend.  Generally this is going to be a very nice summer weekend. The short forecast is mostly sunny with highs 78 to 85 degrees. There are few possible issues/exceptions which I’ll discuss.  Some years the final weekend of August is part of Labor Day weekend, but this year we have 4 weekends in August before the unofficial end of summer.

If showers do occur this weekend, they will most likely come late Sunday.

Most weekends present a bit of a forecast challenge.  This weekend there are two possible issues which could bring clouds and some showers to parts of New England, but they are slim at the end of the weekend.

Saturday is the sunniest day of the weekend and the best at the beaches.  Sunday brings a chance of scattered showers later in the day, perhas even at the coastline.  The timing of these showers will likely be changing a bit over the next 48 hours so check the latest forecast throughout the weekend.

An onshore breeze Sunday will likely keep the beaches about 8 degrees cooler than tomorrow, so be aware of the ocean air.

Humidity is in check Saturday, but will increase to more uncomfortable levels later on Sunday.

The drought continues in much of New England and even here in southern Maine.  Rain over the past 7 to 10 days has begun to help with the drought, but York County is still especially dry.  I did find a map from 1965 showing much of the area in a similar drought that summer.

With all that said, here’s what to expect this weekend.

If you’re going hiking, biking, or running …

Keep an eye to the sky over the  western areas of New England Sunday for possible pop-up showers.  This pattern isn’t expect to bring anything heavy, but I don’t want you to be surprised if a shower occurs in these areas.  Otherwise it will be sunny and dry Saturday with a few more clouds on Sunday afternoon along the coastal plain.

If you’re going beaching and boating …

Tides will be high between 12:30 and 1:30 along east facing beaches this weekend, and I would consider this a great beach weekend. It will be warm enough, even at the beach, to go swimming.  Water temperatures are in the mid 60s and even near 70 in the coves south of Portland!  This is amazingly warm water for this region so take advantage and go for a swim.

High temperatures will be warmest on Saturday this weekend.

If you’re playing soccer, softball, baseball, or golf …

Saturday’s forecast:  Comfortable humidity make it ideal for outdoor athletic games.  Some morning dew will slow play on the golf greens and leave you with damp shoes if you are walking through the grass early.

Sunday’s outlook: Humidity creeps up in the afternoon.  Watch later forecasts to see if shower activity is predicted  to move in late Sunday, but this would be widely scattered if it occurred and mainly for western New England.

Showers may bring a soaking rain to the region Sunday night and the first part of Monday.

If you’re gardening …

You can plant lots of greens, radish, turnip and carrot this weekend.  It’s quite easy to get things germinating the second part of August just be sure to keep things evenly moist.  Watering is a gardens biggest challenge this weekend.  Water early and for long periods of  time.

If you’re running errands …

Get errands done early to take advantage of the sunshine either day or do them in the middle of the day to avoid the warmest temperatures.

If you’re going to a concert, outdoor party, or wedding …

I don’t see any issues with rainouts for outdoor plans.  If you are headed to any venue and will be sitting in the sun for long periods of time be sure to bring the sunscreen of course.  The sun is still very strong in mid to late August.   Humidity does increase Sunday evening and makes it feel a bit more uncomfortable.

I will be updating the forecast on Twitter @growingwisdom throughout the weekend.