Potentially damaging winds forecast for County

6 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — Officials at the National Weather Service in Caribou warned Monday that high winds could cause damage across northern Maine late Monday evening into Tuesday.

A high wind watch is in effect for Aroostook and Piscataquis counties, as well as northern Penobscot and northern Somerset counties.

Mal Walker, meteorologist with the NWS in Caribou, said Monday that a frontal system will cross through the area Monday night, and there are “pretty strong winds behind it.”

Walker said that strong and gusty winds would develop late Monday evening and continue through Tuesday afternoon. Winds will whip out of the west at 20 to 30 miles per hour on average, but gusts of 50 to 60 mph are possible, especially across higher terrain, according to the NWS.

The weather service warns that the strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines, resulting in some power outages.

“Since there are a lot of leaves on the trees still, and a number of old trees with weak branches, there could be some damage,” Walker said. “The high winds could cause some power outages in some areas, so residents should be on the lookout for that..”

There also is the potential for snow showers on Tuesday evening, and the potential for rain and snow showers on Wednesday, according to the weather service.

Residents are advised to avoid downed power lines, as even lines that appear dead can be deadly, and report outages to power companies.