Temperatures all across Maine remained in the 70s most of the night.  Overnight lows this high are not typical for Maine and make for uncomfortable sleeping.  We will have these types of warm nights through the weekend.  The exception to this will be shoreline communities where temperatures can fall to the upper 60s by morning.

Depending on where you are today through the weekend will make a big difference on how high temperatures reach. Portland reached 87°F yesterday and will be about as high again today.  Inland, from in places like Sanford, Limerick, Sanford, Waterboro, Bridgton and Fryeburg did hit the 90°F mark and will do so this afternoon.

The record in Portland for today is 94°F, but we won’t reach it.  We had a better shot yesterday when the record was just 90°F. The way the Jetport is situated, where most official Portland records are from, is subjected to slightly cooler air off the water.   If records were kept in say North Deering, I suspect you would see higher amounts of snow in winter and hotter temperatures in summer.  A few miles does make a big difference.

The inland heat wave rolls on tomorrow and Sunday which will make for 5 days of 90°F or higher weather in those parts of the state.  Humidity levels stay in the tropical range and temperatures at night won’t go much 74°F or 75°F. There will be a return to a chance of thunderstorms, mostly over western and northern Maine later in the weekend.

Next week the pattern will undergo some changes.  Monday will see a lessening of the high temperatures and most spots will stay under 90°F.  Along with the heat wave breaking, more showers and thunderstorms will start to become common.  I am not saying next week is a washout.  Next week will have many days of a blend of clouds and sunshine, but there will be showers and thunderstorms and some of those will contain heavy downpours.

Generally, the morning hours next week will be the driest with the afternoon having the highest risk of getting wet.  Monday may end up being one of the more showery days of the week, with additional rain later in the week.  Temperatures will be mostly in the upper 70s and mid 80s, although there are indications that Thursday and Friday could see a brief return to 90 degree weather over interior York County before it cools off next weekend.

The image below is a forecast map of temperature anomaly late next week.  The blue areas represent temperature under what is typical for mid-July while the orange areas are above normal.  Much of New England is forecast to see highs above average for the time of year, meaning upper 70s to mid 80s.  It’s a week away and forecasts change, so as I often say, check back soon.

Gardening this week Are you growing tomatoes this year? If you haven’t gotten a tomato plant yet there is actually still time, you might not have tomatoes until late August or early September, but you can still plant. This week, I have a video about my rescue of a tomato plant and how to grow them in containers.

I’ll be updating the details of the heat wave on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.

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