It is hard to believe the July 4 weekend is upon us and the year is already half gone by. This is the weekend so many of you look forward to and when vacations really begin. This can be a very hot weekend with lots of humidity and temperatures at 90 degrees or higher. As recently as 2010, it was 90 degrees on July 4, and way back in 1911 Portland reached 103, the record high for July. Perhaps that’s where the saying “as hot as the Fourth of July” originated.

If you’re going hiking, biking, or running…

There will be a few scattered showers or thunderstorms Friday evening, but otherwise this is a dry weekend.  It’s also a warm weekend, with temperatures into the 80s all three days.  The best time for strenuous activity will be early in the day or after 6 p.m., when it begins to cool.  There won’t be noticeable levels of humidity this weekend, a real treat this time of year.

If you’re going beaching or boating…

The coast of Maine to the North Shore of Massachusetts including the New Hampshire Seacoast: Tides are high around 11 a.m and again at 11 p.m, give or take, depending on the beach. The evening high tide is the highest. Winds will be light all weekend, generally from the west, turning more southwest on the Fourth.

Cape Cod and the Islands: There won’t be much of a difference there except water temperatures will be warmer – well into the 60s.

If you’re playing soccer, softball, baseball, or golf…

Saturday’s forecast: Low levels of humidity will keep the air comfortable in spite of high temperatures in the low- to mid-80s. It will be cooler if you live near the coast.

Sunday’s outlook: Fields will remain dry all day. There won’t be much dew on the grass even early in the day.

If you’re gardening…

Scattered showers haven’t really done a lot to help with the drought. Some areas will get a downpour Friday evening, but there’s no chance of rain Saturday, Sunday or Monday. You’ll need to be water often and deeply to keep plants healthy. Water in the morning if possible. It’s better for the plants.

If you’re running errands…

Since the whole weekend appears to be sunny, we won’t have any time when it’s cloudy to do errands. I would recommend getting errands done very early to avoid crowds or use the warmest part of the day, between 2 and 5 p.m., to avoid the heat.

If you’re going to any outdoor event…

The only weather issue for outdoor events will be Friday evening, when showers cross the area. Depending on where you are, there could be thunder or some downpours.

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