Fourth of July weekend forecast: Friday's a beach day, but look out for Saturday storms

Weather for the Fourth of July holiday weekend is looking mostly favorable — especially compared to cool and rainy conditions this time last year.

Here's a look ahead at the forecast.

If you're looking for a bona fide beach day, Friday appears to be your best bet.

Temperatures will reach to the low- to mid-90s across eastern Massachusetts, with the highest readings in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley, said National Weather Service meteorologist Kristie Smith.

"It should be a pretty sunny, warm day, great for outdoor activities if anybody's having any outdoor celebrations," Smith said.

Temperatures will be slightly cooler as you get closer to the coast. (Don't forget to pack your sunscreen!)

Things take a turn for the worse heading into Saturday, with the chance of showers increasing overnight. This might be a good day to hang inside or check off any lingering holiday to-dos.

"Saturday is looking to be the least-desirable day in the holiday weekend," Smith said, adding rain poses the biggest threat between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., give or take an hour or two on either end.

There could be severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing high winds and even small hail in some areas, Smith said, as a cold front blows through and knocks temperatures down to the 80s.

These stormy conditions could put a damper on any planned fireworks shows. (On the bright side, Massachusetts needs all the rain it can get to battle drought and dry conditions across large swaths of the state.)

Here's the good news: Conditions appear primed to bounce back Sunday as the nasty stuff clears out.

"You may just have an isolated shower across the Cape as that cold front and those storms push off the coast, but it should be in the 80s region-wide, probably a really pleasant day, clearing skies as the day goes on," Smith said.

Finally, for Independence Day, it looks to be more of the same from the day prior. Temperatures should hit the 80s, with an outside chance for showers or a pop-up thunderstorm, Smith said.

In other words, rest assured any parades, grilling and outdoor chilling can go off without a hitch — as can the big Boston return of the Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

"Certainly, Sunday and Monday don't look like washouts," Smith said.