Mostly sunny Friday near 66 with gusty winds and elevated fire risk; colder Saturday near 52

Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 66, the National Weather Service says, but gusty winds and dry leaves raise the risk that any outdoor fire spreads. Saturday, Halloween, is sunny and much colder, with a high near 52.

Fire risk today

The weather service's Boston office has a special weather statement in effect until 6:15 p.m. Friday. It says dry fuels, northwest wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph and humidity near 40 percent make fire spread more likely across southern New England, with the driest air and strongest gusts from late morning to mid afternoon. It asks people to use extra caution with machinery and matches and to put out cigarette butts properly.

The forecast

The National Weather Service in Norton expects the following in Gloucester:

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
• Friday night: Clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 3 to 13 mph.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

On the water

No marine alerts are in effect for Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay.

Today, west winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots and seas of 2 to 3 feet, the 4:03 a.m. marine forecast says. Tonight, northwest winds pick up to 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Saturday starts the same, then eases to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Sunday, southwest winds of 10 to 15 knots and seas around 2 feet. Monday and Tuesday, east winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots and seas of 2 to 3 feet.

Tides

High tides in Gloucester Harbor, according to NOAA predictions:

• Friday: 2:39 a.m. (9.1 feet) and 2:52 p.m. (10.7 feet). Low tides at 8:36 a.m. and 9:22 p.m. Friday evening's low drops to minus 0.8 feet.
• Saturday: 3:37 a.m. (8.9 feet) and 3:51 p.m. (10.3 feet). Low tides at 9:33 a.m. and 10:21 p.m. Saturday evening's low drops to minus 0.5 feet.

In Rockport, Friday's high tides are at 2:36 a.m. and 2:48 p.m., and Saturday's are at 3:34 a.m. and 3:48 p.m. In the Essex River, Friday's high tides are at 2:56 a.m. and 3:03 p.m., and Saturday's are at 3:53 a.m. and 4:01 p.m.

Earlier coverage: Sunny and warm Thursday near 64, sunny Friday near 65 with gusty winds (Oct. 29), Thursday's forecast and tides.