Summer weather on the way for Nova Scotia, but first ... frost?

With the official start to summer set to arrive at 7:34 p.m. on Monday, weather conditions ahead of the transition seem to be getting into the seasonal spirit.

The weather situation is already improving across the Maritimes and will get progressively more awesome as a ridge of high pressure moves in to clear skies. It will eventually help to boost temperatures well above the seasonal values.

However, as the cloud shield associated with that departing low pressure system makes the track to Newfoundland, there is still a chance that its remains could bring showers or drizzle to Cape Breton this evening.

Otherwise, it's a mostly clear and cool night for the mainland portion of the province. That presents a bit of a snag in tonight's weather story: A risk of frost for central and southwest portions of the mainland.

Because we're still in that northerly flow, temperature values are still on the cool side under clear skies.

The clearing trend continues in Cape Breton tomorrow as that ridge of high pressure moves in to dominate this weekend's weather pattern.

Warming day by day

We'll still be on the cool side of the ridge tomorrow, so temperature values will still be a little cooler than seasonal, but by Saturday the warm air finds a way in as winds shift west.

By Sunday the ridge slips to the south of the Maritimes, which will help everyone enjoy a downright summery day.

Your Father's Day is expected to be the hottest day of the weekend, with temperatures forecast to climb above 30 C in several areas. The summer-like weather lasts until right around the time of the official summer solstice Monday evening.

That ridge of high pressure will essentially be squished between two different rainmaking systems, bringing the possibility of showers into your Tuesday and Wednesday.