If summer has to start winding down, Saturday is about as good a way as any to do it.
Connecticut will kick off the final weekend of meteorological summer with sunshine, comfortable warmth and refreshingly low humidity. It's the kind of August day that makes it tempting to squeeze in one more beach trip, hike or backyard cookout.
Any leftover clouds from Friday should clear out quickly, leaving mostly sunny to sunny skies through the afternoon. Temperatures will generally reach the upper 70s to around 80 degrees, with Hartford near 80 and Bridgeport around 78. The Litchfield Hills should run a few degrees cooler, with highs mainly in the middle to upper 70s.
The humidity, or lack thereof, may be Saturday's best feature. A north to northwest breeze behind Friday's departing front will usher in much drier air, replacing the muggy feel that has hung around at times this week. With sunshine, temperatures near 80 and no meaningful rain threat, the weather should feel almost tailor-made for late-summer outdoor plans.
Saturday night keeps the comfortable stretch going. Clear skies and dry air will allow temperatures to fall into the middle and upper 50s across much of inland Connecticut, while the shoreline remains closer to 60. Some of the traditionally cooler valleys in northwestern Connecticut could dip into the lower 50s by early Sunday morning.
Sunday gives the final weekend of August another strong showing. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the lower 80s, while a few warmer inland communities may reach the middle 80s. Humidity will remain manageable for most of the day.
The forecast becomes less straightforward as the new week begins.
Monday should feature a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the lower 80s, but a few showers or thunderstorms may develop later in the day. Tuesday and Wednesday currently look cloudier and more unsettled, with additional opportunities for showers and thunderstorms as a frontal boundary lingers near southern New England. The exact timing of those rounds of rain remains uncertain.
Shoreline (including Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, New London): Mostly sunny, dry and less humid with an afternoon sea breeze possible. Highs: 76-81.
Inland (including Danbury, Waterbury, Greater Hartford, Windham): Mostly sunny and pleasantly warm with comfortable humidity. Highs: 77-82.
Litchfield Hills (including Torrington, Litchfield, Winchester): Sunny, dry and comfortable. Highs: 75-79.
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This article originally published at Connecticut gets a nearly perfect late-Summer Saturday. Here's when muggy weather returns..