Some years, there’s only one weekend between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends, but this year, there are two. This is a big weekend for outdoor activities. Weddings, proms, and graduations are common throughout the area, and many of you are wishing for the weather to cooperate. Since Memorial Day is so late, this is also a good weekend to plant your garden and not wait until the final days of the month.

This is what I call a split weekend of weather. Saturday will be dry all day and there won’t be any weather issues. There will be a period of rain overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning. Then look for a few showers during the day Sunday. Unfortunately, many graduations Sunday are going to be moved inside unless they have a big tent. The further north you are the less rain will occur. Colby College’s commencement is this weekend; Bates and Bowdoin are next.

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

The cool mornings both days this weekend will be ideal for active outdoor activities. It may be a bit warm Saturday during the middle of the day for a long, hard run. Sunday is a cloudier and cooler day, with a breeze off the ocean. Even in the afternoon on Sunday, a run or long bike ride will be comfortable. The morning will be the wettest period with the best chance of a steady rain.  The balance of the day we will see on and off showers. The showers will be quite light north of Portland if they occur at all.

By my definition, beach days are mostly sunny with temperatures in the 80s or higher. We still have yet to have a beach day this season, and this weekend won’t bring one. However, many of you (and I) love the beach any time of the year. This is going to be a good weekend to take a walk on the beach. Saturday brings more sunshine than Sunday. Sunday will be a cooler day; temperatures may not reach 60 across some east-facing spots along the shore. It won’t be a nice day to be at the beach.

Tides are high around noon Saturday and about 1 p.m. Sunday. The wind will be light from the south on Saturday and from the east on Sunday. Tides are running average height.

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

Saturday’s forecast: It will be comfortably cool for the early games on Saturday. A bit of dew will dry quickly, and light winds won’t affect any of your activities on the fields.

Sunday’s outlook: Wet fields and even cancellations are likely for some activities early Sunday.  Since things turn more showery in the afternoon, you might be able to play, but the ground may really not dry out completely. Look for my updates on Twitter @growingwisdom throughout the weekend.

If you’re gardening…

I’m planting tomatoes this weekend—those plants can handle some cool nights. Peppers, eggplants, and basil are all available at local garden centers, but I’m waiting another week to plant mine. I like to wait until the soil warms a bit more for those, and we just haven’t had a lot of warm weather yet.   Sunday is a perfect day to go to local garden centers. Cool  and wet weather gives the plants a burst of energy and the crowds are fewer.

If you’re running errands…

With a lot of sunshine on Saturday, your car will heat up rapidly if you’re parked in the sun. Temperatures in a vehicle can exceed 100 degrees, even on a day when it’s only in the 70s outside. I always find the shadiest spot in a parking lot. If you need to park in the sun, point the car with the back facing the sun to minimize heating. Sunday you’ll need the umbrella.

If you’re heading to Fenway…

The Cleveland Indians are in Boston this weekend, with a game Friday night, as well as one late in the afternoon on Saturday and one early in the afternoon on Sunday. There is no risk to the game on Saturday.  Sunday’s game may actually be able to be played depending on the tolerance for showers by the people who make that call.  Bring a jacket on Sunday, it will be chilly.

You can follow Dave Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.

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