Thursday is expected to bring thunderstorms through the afternoon, before skies clear on Friday morning ahead of Fourth of July holiday celebrations.
Showers and scattered storms are expected to start in southwestern Maine just after noon Thursday, while northern Maine can expect thunderstorms later in the afternoon and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service office in Caribou.
Storms will bring strong gusty winds and heavy downpours in some regions, along with severe damaging winds.
High temperatures in the afternoon are expected to range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s across the state.
Drier air moves in through the day on the Fourth of July, with temperatures climbing back into the 70s and 80s after cooler overnight temperatures Thursday. Skies will be mostly sunny across the state throughout the day.
Heat indexes throughout the state will be mostly temperate Friday. North of Patten, expect it to feel around the high 60s, as well as throughout the North Maine Woods. The Down East region will see indexes in the mid 70s.
With some gusts reaching 10 to 15 mph, southwestern Maine will likely feel in the mid 60s.
Some scattered showers are still possible, although drier conditions are expected around the time that most fireworks displays will start.
Heading into Saturday and Sunday, daytime temperatures continue to climb and humidity will start to increase, and showers are possible in the mountain regions.
