NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/
8:08 PM Update...The Beach Hazards Statement for today has been allowed to expire. Given forecast high temperatures on Saturday, a new Beach Hazards Statement will go into effect from 8 AM to 8 PM. Otherwise, no changes with this update.

Previous Discussion... Surface high pressure will continue to settle across the region tonight and Saturday. For tonight, vorticity models show a weak vort max over the Central Highlands. With the lift from the higher terrain and NW flow, isolated showers are expected over the central region. These will quickly dissipate with the loss of heating and upper level support. Temps will be in the low to mid 50s with clear skies and light wind. By Saturday, surface high pressure will remain in the area while the upper level trof becomes a closed low.
This will keep high temps in the low 80s for the day with light SW winds.

SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/
The weather will be quiet for the end of the weekend through the early part of next week, as high pressure remains overhead.
Temperatures are expected to be on the warm side, but not anomalously warm with 500 hPa heights in the 580s. Skies will remain mostly clear through the weekend, with some uncertainty on Monday as a cutoff low potentially moves northward over the region. Although the low will still be approaching on Monday, upper level clouds may increase ahead of the main low, which would decrease daytime temperatures. Therefore, a little more spread in the model solutions exist for high temps in particular on Monday. Chose to go with the NBM for temperatures today, but this solution is a little warmer for daytime highs and a little lower for nighttime lows, so temps may moderate as we move forward in time.

LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/
On Monday night, the low pressure system to our south will finally shift into a location where it begins to affect the weather across the area. As winds become more southerly, increasingly warm moist air will move over the region, increasing the chances for fog over the waters starting Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, showers will spread across the area as the pattern becomes more unsettled for the rest of the week. On Wednesday, a more significant trough will approach from the west, bringing periods of heavier precipitation through Friday.
The best chances for thunderstorms this week will be on Thursday and Friday since the upper level support will be more robust with the western trough. Temperatures will continue to rise through the week with southwesterly winds ahead of the trough, reaching the mid to upper 80s by Friday.

AVIATION /00Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/
NEAR TERM: Mainly VFR conditions for tonight and Saturday. Low chance of IFR or lower towards daybreak at Aroostook Terminals with BCFG. Not enough confidence to include in 00z TAFs. Light and variable winds for tonight and Saturday.

SHORT TERM:

Saturday night through Monday night...VFR. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots Saturday through Saturday night. South/southwest winds 5 to 10 knots Sunday through Monday night.

Tuesday...Variable conditions with any fog early. Otherwise, generally VFR. Possible MVFR in the afternoon in showers. South winds 10 to 15 knots.

Tuesday night through Wednesday...Possible IFR in fog overnight, primarily at southern TAFs. VFR tempo MVFR during the day in showers and possible thunderstorms. South winds 10 to 15kts becoming southwest.

MARINE
NEAR TERM: Winds and seas will remain below SCA conditions for tonight and Saturday.

SHORT TERM: Winds and seas will remain below SCA conditions through the period. Potential for marine fog increases beginning Tuesday morning through the end of the week.

CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
ME...Beach Hazards Statement from 8 AM EDT Saturday through Saturday evening for MEZ029-030.
MARINE...None.