St. John Valley Weather for Jan. 10-16, 2024

Joseph E. Becker, Special to The County
4 months ago

3-Day Outlook: Wednesday, Jan. 10-Friday, Jan. 12 

December 2023 National Climate Report

The average annual temperature of the contiguous U.S. was 54.4 degrees F, which is 2.4 degrees F above average and ranking fifth warmest on record.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect until 3 p.m.

Heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow and sleet accumulations up to 3 inches for a storm total of 6 to 14 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.

Snow will continue this morning before mixing with and changing to rain this afternoon and ending as snow showers this evening. Potential for 8-12 inches snowfall in Fort Kent and surrounding locations today. 

The triple point associated with the system looks to across western Maine today then lift into the Maritimes/eastern Canada tonight. A cold front looks to cross the Valley Thursday with partly sunny skies and breezy west winds Thursday. Partly cloudy skies are expected for Fort Kent and vicinity Friday with brisk west winds. Partly cloudy skies Friday night give way to increasing cloudiness by Saturday as another storm system approaches.

Apex Wx Daily Summary 

Today: Cloudy with a 100 percent chance for snow mixing with sleet/rain in the afternoon. Around 3 to 7 inches snowfall possible with some locally higher totals. High around 34. Southeast wind 20-25 mph with gusts to 41 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy in the evening then mostly cloudy overnight with a 50 percent chance for snow showers. Less than 1-inch additional accumulation expected Low near 28. Southwest wind 8-11 mph, gusting 20-25 mph. 

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 10 percent chance for snow showers. High around 33. West wind 10-13 mph gusting 20-25 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then partly cloudy overnight with a 20 percent chance for snow showers. Low near 11. West wind 6-8 mph. 

Friday: Partly sunny to partly cloudy with a high around 20. West wind 5-10 mph with gusts to around 21 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance for snow after midnight. Low near 0. Northeast wind 0-7 mph.

4- to 7-Day Outlook: Saturday, Jan. 13-Tuesday, Jan. 16 

Low pressure approaches Saturday following a similar track to the current system. Snow overspreads the Valley Saturday morning and continues through Saturday night before tapering to snow showers early Sunday. Snow showers are expected to taper off by Sunday afternoon with around 6-8 inches fresh snowfall on top of today’s snowpack. A lull is expected Monday with isolated afternoon snow/snow showers before another system approaches Monday night/Tuesday bringing another round of snowfall to the Saint John Valley with 6-8 inches snowfall possible from this system (depending on the low’s track and strength).

Apex Wx Daily Summary

Saturday: Cloudy with a 90 percent chance for snow. High around 33. East wind 8-14 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with an 80 percent chance for snow. Low near 16. Southwest wind 8-14 mph. 

Sunday:  Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance for snow showers. High around 20. Southwest wind 15-22 mph.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy with a 5 percent chance for snow showers. Low near 5. Southwest wind 8-14 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance for snow/snow showers in the afternoon. High around 21. Southwest wind 8-14 mph.

Monday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then partly cloudy overnight with a 20 percent chance for snow showers. Low near 8. Southwest wind 0-7 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny in the morning then mostly cloudy in the afternoon with a 30 percent chance for snow. High around 22. Southwest wind 8-14 mph.

Tuesday night: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance for snow. Low near 7. West wind 8-14 mph.

Note: Computer model precision diminishes the further into the week the forecast projects. Check The County.me or the National Weather Service Caribou, ME at for weather updates with more current information for the Saint John Valley.

The Week Ahead is the work of UMFK Professor Joseph E. Becker based on personal weather station data, various computer forecast models, and information that the National Weather Service, NOAA, and other weather resources provide.