After what seemed like a wet, unending spring, summer is finally getting in full swing this weekend in Whatcom County.

The forecast for the next two weeks calls for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Johnny Burg. Translation: warm, relatively dry weather as far as the eye can see.

Clear skies and highs in the upper 70s and low 80s are expected for Saturday and Sunday. That means a busy weekend for Whatcom County's lakes, beaches and rivers as the rain-soaked masses come out to play.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office will have boat patrols on Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish over the weekend to ensure that boaters are being safe and ticketing people for boating under the influence. They'll also be keeping an eye on people partying near the Nooksack River in Acme.

"It gets pretty wild out there with drinking and littering," Sheriff Bill Elfo said. "We're going to be paying a lot of attention down there."

At Birch Bay, the focus will be on cars speeding along the beach. With such gorgeous weather, there are bound to be plenty of families walking along the road between the shops and the beach, and it can be dangerous for pedestrians if drivers are careless.

"We've been hitting that area pretty heavy for speeders with our traffic unit," Elfo said, noting that deputies have caught people going double the 25 mph speed limit.

Speed isn't an issue at the Birch Bay Waterslides, though, where employees expect the place to be packed with people racing into the water. Supervisor Jesi Maakad said she expected at least 500 people per day to celebrate the arrival of the sun.

"The anticipation has been building," she said. "I don't know where summer has been. We've been waiting a month for summer to happen and it's finally here."