Dry air continues to move into the region High pressure builds in today with a cooler and drier air mass. This will make for a pleasant weekend (remember when it rained just about every weekend back in May?) A very weak cold front moves into the state on Sunday before dying out. This will bring some showers to northern areas for Sunday and Monday, while the rest of the state just sees a mix of sun and clouds but remains dry. High pressure returns for next week with more pleasant weather ahead. A gradual warm-up will take place throughout the week as a ridge starts to build over the region. July 2025 in review The end of July means another month of observations to add to our records. July was quite warm across the state. But what I find interesting is how the state was almost split halfway across with dry/wet precipitation anomalies. Bangor had its 3rd driest July on record. What stands out to me with temperature anomalies is that June’s temperature departure was further above average compared to July, but July’s average temperature was warmer than June’s. The big heat wave at the end of June helped push the departure up in June, which we didn't see as much in July. The heat waves stayed just to the south of Maine in July, with some areas in the Mid-Atlantic and New England having their top 10 warmest July on record. I wonder how August will compare to July... A taste of early fall for some Saturday morning Expect the clear sky to allow for radiational cooling heading into Saturday morning. With high pressure over the region, lows are expected to be in the 40s in the northwest, with a few 30s possible in the valleys in the north. Elsewhere across the state, it won’t get as cold with temperatures bottoming out in the low 50s. Smoke and showers Sunday and Monday Something to watch this weekend will be the return of Canadian wildfire smoke which moves through the state on Sunday. With a trough (or dip) in the jet stream right over us on Sunday, the winds aloft will be out of the northwest, which is where the wildfires are. This transports smoke from the fires into the region, which may reduce the air quality but will make for some gorgeous sunsets!  A weak cold front will move into the state on Sunday, bringing some rain showers to the northern areas. Then on Monday, the front sags a bit further south before dying out. This moves the rain showers to the central and northern areas on Monday afternoon. With a lack of moisture and disorganized showers, there is little impact. This will just be your typical summer afternoon shower; thunder is not likely. Outlook through late next weekHigh pressure will move back in behind the cold front later on Monday, which will clear out the skies again. A building upper-level ridge will make way for a gradual warming trend throughout the week. High temperatures will be in the low 80s across the state by mid-week. But what will make it pleasant outside is that the humidity stays in check. Dew points appear to remain below 60°F for most areas during the week, with a few low 60s possible in the southwest. Still, it won't be too bad. Outside of a risk of a light shower/sprinkle from passing disturbances, no rain is expected Tuesday through Friday, so enjoy some time outdoors in the beautiful weather!  Today's update prepared by Penn State student intern |
Mike Haggett
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