The past several years have seen dry early springs.  After the big snow of 2015 melted, the ground had very little moisture and there wasn’t any mud season to speak of in spite of all that snow.  Typically, spring in Maine is unsettled, cloudy, wet, somewhat snowy and cold.  March is our wettest month and April is notorious for frustration. We can have snowstorms, sunshine and plenty of rain.   The pattern setting up over the next week is going to bring lots of clouds, multiple chances of precipitation and temperatures on the cooler side.  I don’t see any big snowstorms, but there is the chance for accumulating snow during period, especially away from the coast.

While this weather won’t be great for getting outside for early season field practice, rounds of golf or even a run, the precipitation is an important part of bringing us out of the drought and ensuring we don’t have even bigger problems later this spring and summer.  This isn’t to say it’s going to be wet for the next three weeks, but you’ll need some psychological fortitude to make it through a rather dreary period of weather ahead.

Saturday highs will reach into the mid-40s along the coastline and near 40 degrees even in the mountains. On Sunday you can expect readings about 10 degrees colder, in the lower to middle 30s in much of New Hampshire and Maine.

If you’re hitting the roads this weekend…

Highly variable conditions are in the forecast this weekend.  Some snow Friday and again Sunday may bring slick spots to your area.  Briefly milder air on Saturday means some melting, but Sunday morning will find readings back into the 20 to 28 degree range, so any moisture that falls would be frozen.

If you’re heading to Logan airport…

I don’t expect any weather issues in the northeast this weekend.  Some rain in the middle of the country, including Chicago could cause brief delays, but generally the weather won’t be a player in air travel this weekend.  There might be severe weather across the south, but this shouldn’t affect many airports.

If you’re going skiing…

Ski areas have a lot of snow left and we will be skiing into April.  Temperatures will be in the 30s this weekend and there will be a chance of some snow or mixed rain and snow.  Bring along a second jacket in case one gets wet or use a good shell.

Total precipitation will be relatively light this weekend.  A coating to as much as 2 inches of snow in isolated areas is all that will fall.  Most of this will occur Friday.

If you’re going hiking or running…

I can’t rule out rain showers Saturday afternoon or Sunday.  However any precipitation will be light and still allow for outdoor activity.  Just be sure to have proper gear.   Temperatures Saturday will be comfortable with highs in the 40 but, you should plan on colder air for Sunday with highs only near 35.

I will be updating the forecast on Twitter @growingwisdom throughout the weekend.