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Sept. 02--DOVER -- It might not feel like summer is turning into fall quite yet, but the annual holiday that signals the end of the season has arrived.

Officials are predicting an uptick in holiday travel this Labor Day weekend, even with a forecast for cooler temperatures with the possibility of high winds and some rain.

Tai Freligh, communications manager for N.H. Travel and Tourism Development, said 530,000 out-of-state visitors will be coming to the Granite State this weekend, and it's expected those visitors will spend around $71 million while in the state.

Those figures are up two and five percent, respectively, from 2009, according to Freligh.

Pat Moody of AAA Northern New England said there will be a 10 percent increase nationally in the number of travelers for Labor Day weekend compared to last year. He said 35.4 million people in the U.S. will be trekking more than 50 miles to enjoy their holiday weekend this year.

In New England, Moody said there will be 11.9 percent increase in the total number of weekend travelers. This comes after a 30 percent national drop in travelers from 2008 to 2009 for Labor Day weekend.

"We won't be breaking any records," Moody said. "This is more of a recovery than anything else."

Freligh said Labor Day weekend is the second-busiest weekend for summer in New Hampshire behind July 4 weekend. He expects the state's major roadways to be clogged up with traffic Friday afternoon and evening, and said Sunday is usually the busiest for people on their way home.

The holiday arrives amid some uncertainty about the weather to come. Hurricane Earl is expected to pass off the New Hampshire and Maine coasts Friday evening, bringing rain to some coastal regions as well as high winds on Saturday, according to Accuweather.com senior meteorologist Paul Walker.

Highs today are expected to hit 90 degrees for the fifth consecutive day, Walker said, with clouds rolling in Friday with highs in the low-80s.

"On Friday night, we could experience tropical storm conditions with squalling along the coast," Walker said.

Inland winds will likely reach the 20 to 30 mph range as the storm passes, but Walker said coastal winds will be in the 30 to 40 mph range with some gusts approaching 50 mph.

"If I'm going to a Friday night football game, I'm bringing a poncho with me," Walker said.

Walker expects some rain early in the day on Saturday, but the skies will clear as the day rolls on with a high around 77 degrees. Cooling winds from the west will blow in at around 25 mph. Walker said Sunday will be mostly sunny with highs in the low 70s and lessening winds. Walker said lows could dip into the 40s in some regions Sunday night.

"For Monday, things should warm up a little bit," Walker said. The forecast for Dover is 75 degrees, clear and breezy.

Gas prices should remain steady at their current averages of $2.68 per gallon for regular gas in Maine and $2.63 in New Hampshire, according to Moody.

"The U.S. Department of Energy reported last week that crude oil inventory increased 4.1 million barrels and gasoline inventories increased 2.3 million barrels, bringing petroleum inventories to their highest levels in the last 20 years," Moody said. "Without any developments that indicate demand levels will rise, crude supply continues to stand as the likely anchor on prices."

Moody added Hurricane Earl should not have any impact on gas prices as long as it does not affect the Gulf Coast region. He also reminded motorists to make sure their vehicles are in good, working shape heading into the holiday weekend.

"The extreme heat we have experienced this week is tough on tires, batteries, and other components like belts and hoses," he said. "Motorists should follow the maintenance schedule for their vehicle in their owner's manual to avoid getting stuck by the side of the road."

Freligh is urging caution for people who plan to be in coastal areas Friday night.

"The weather folks are saying this should skirt by New Hampshire, so it won't have a huge impact," Freligh said. "But people still need to be careful while traveling."

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Copyright (c) 2010, Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.

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