Weekend weather: What you need to know for every activity you have planned
Here comes the rain, though the weekend won't be a washout.
There are certainly times when I write this post for the weekend and feel really confident about the forecast. Other times—like this one—I am less sure of the outcome. The biggest of the questions I have for this weekend is in regards to the timing and frequency of any showers.
Presently, it seems the best chance of rainfall this weekend is for Saturday, but Sunday won’t be rain-free.
The issue is with predicting where the dividing line will fall between the extreme heat and more seasonable warmth. The models we use have been fluctuating dramatically, with earlier guidance suggesting Saturday would be a hot day everywhere (as in, back into the 90s), and other models suggesting cooling in the region (down to the 80s) with more widespread shower activity. Currently, it looks to me like we won’t see an official heat wave, with today’s 90-degree weather breaking Saturday. In other words, the 90-degree weather is moving south, at least temporarily. By Sunday, the heat and 90-degree-plus weather will be back.
We desperately need rainfall. I’ve been saying all summer that the drought is a problem, and now it’s reached critical levels in many communities. If you miss the rainfall over the next 36 hours, I think you may be waiting until next week before the next chance of rain arrives. We need so much rain that even average rainfall won’t help—it will just prevent the drought from getting worse.
An extreme drought in parts of northern Massachusetts is the worst ever recorded by the drought monitor.
With all that said, here’s what to expect this weekend.
If you’re going hiking, biking, or running…
Anticipate showers from time to time on Saturday, including some tropical downpours. Northern New England will be drier and not as warm, with highs in the 70s to 80s. Humidity will be highest over southwestern New England, but it will be humid everywhere. There will be some sunshine, but clouds will definitely be in the picture, too.
Highs Saturday won’t reach 90 degrees. Some areas along the coast will stay in the 70s.
If you’re going beaching and boating…
Tides will be high between 8 and 9 a.m/p.m. this weekend, but I wouldn’t consider this great beach weather. It will be warm enough, even at the beach, to go swimming, but the clouds and the chance of rainfall, mostly in the afternoon, will spoil any ability to be there without worrying about the rain. That said, the chance of showers is lowest for Sunday.
If you’re playing soccer, softball, baseball, or golf…
Saturday’s forecast: Showers will keep fields wet. Even if it’s not raining, watch out for slippery grass thanks to the high humidity.
Sunday’s outlook: Humidity will once again be high. The chance of showers isn’t great so this is my pick for the weekend, but not by a wide margin. It will turn hot, with highs in the 90s.
Temperatures in the 90s return Sunday
If you’re gardening…
Try to keep your plants alive by watering in the morning. Water deeply and for long periods of time, and keep the water close to the ground if possible; overhead watering doesn’t do as much good.
If you’re running errands…
This is one of the few weekends of the summer during which I don’t think it matters which day you choose for errands. Neither day will have ideal weather, so pick whichever one is convenient for you.
If you’re going to a concert, outdoor party, or wedding…
Humidity will be high on both Saturday and Sunday. Outdoor events on Saturday have the greatest risk of being spoiled by showers and possible storms.
I will be updating the forecast on Twitter @growingwisdom throughout the weekend.
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