Cold and wet, that is the theme for this year’s Memorial Day weekend although it’s not a 3 day washout by any means.   While it is rather muggy and warm this morning, colder air will filter into the region during the day.  This is going to set up a very chilly pair of days this weekend.   

I’ll be updating the forecast throughout the week on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.

The weather story for the next several days starts with a cold front inching its way through Maine today.  The problem for the weekend is that the front will get stuck just to our east.  While this frontal system sits along the coast a storm will develop on it and bring a few rounds of rain to the region especially Saturday and Saturday night.  Sunday will be a day with showers, but there can be a few dry hours.  

Friday

Today is going to be a transitional day from muggy air to cool and wet conditions.  The cold front that caused all the severe weather a few days ago in the center of the country pass by the area.  Earlier this week it appeared the front would move far enough away to give us a nice weekend.  However, now the models are showing this front slowing down quite a bit.  When fronts get stuck along our coast it often spells trouble.  The front acts like a track for areas of rain to ride along.  Until the front moves far enough away the chance of rain continues.   Temperatures are going to be cooler tomorrow only in the 60s and during the afternoon they may actually drop a bit. 

Saturday

An area of rain will move through the area at the same time cool air is in place.  Temperatures are not only going to be way below normal, some spots might stay in the upper 40s and lower 50s for most of the day.  Rainfall could be heavy at times, early the morning.  Along the coastline drier air should shut the rain off completely for several hours and skies may brighten a bit.  Inland and in the mountains the showers should continue longer with less chance for the dry periods.  Take a look at the map below.  Notice the area circled in green.  Those areas will be wettest on Saturday.

 

Sunday

More areas of showers and steady rain are forecast to push across the region, but the exact position of the storm Sunday morning will determine where the heaviest rain occurs.  It is still going to be very cool and some of the highest elevations could indeed see snow mixing in with the rain especially at the end of the day.  

Monday 

Memorial Day does look better.  There should be some sunshine but temperatures will still be cool. It won’t be a beach day, but after two lousy days of weather a vast improvement.  Warmer and more typical weather for late May does return for Tuesday, just in time to head back to work.  

Heat and humidity

There are early signs of very warm and humid air for later next week.  As is often typical in late spring we may go from several days of chilly temperatures to sweltering heat in a short time.  Stay tuned.

 

Gardening this week After moving plants around my yard the past several years because they keep getting bigger and bigger I decided to do a video about just how big some of those plants you see in the nursery will become. While they may only be a foot or two tall today, just wait a few years. Check out how big some of the more typical garden center trees and shrubs can grow. I would be interested in any stories you have from your own garden. Tweet me @growingwisdom

I’ll be updating the forecast throughout the week on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.