Forecaster offers sparkling holiday weather conditions

By David Skolnick | July 3, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Saturday’s forecast calls for no rain with temperatures reaching the mid-70s.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Fourth of July weekend weather can be described in one word: ideal.

“It’s looking good,” said Karen Oudeman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Don’t worry about rain or low temperatures when you’re out watching or marching in a parade, enjoying a cookout or watching legal [as well as illegal] fireworks displays this weekend.

The ideal conditions for fireworks are clear skies, a modest breeze, low humidity and moderate temperatures, according to AccuWeather.com, a weather service based in State College, Pa.

That’s the forecast for Saturday.

“The pesky system [that’s caused several rain showers this week] is on the move out, and we’ll start to see things improve,” Oudeman said.

There’s a 30 percent chance of showers this morning with a high in the mid-70s today.

On Saturday, “things will be |eally good,” Oudeman said. “You’ll start to see the sun again.”

The forecast for Saturday calls for a high in the mid-70s and no chance of rain.

The forecast is identical for Sunday.

Those returning to work Monday after the long holiday weekend will be greeted by a high in the upper 70s.

It will be in the mid-70s on Tuesday and the upper 70s on Wednesday.

The weather service forecast states it will be partly cloudy on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with no rain.

The average high for this time of the year in the Mahoning Valley is 80 degrees, according to National Weather Service records.

skolnick@vindy.com