3-Day Outlook: Wed. Mar. 5 – Fri. Mar. 7
A large area of low pressure crossing the Great Lakes today into tonight with snow today changing to a wintry mix this evening then to all rain. Rain continues overnight into Thursday with patchy fog developing as the warm rain interacts with the snow pack and temperatures remain above freezing. Snowfall totals of 1-inch or less are expected for the Saint John Valley today with around 1/4-inch of precipitation anticipated.
Tonight, cloudy skies with rain is likely with between 1/4 and 1/2-inch rainfall possible. Southeast winds may gust to around 20 mph late tonight and early Thursday. Patchy fog is expected overnight.
Thursday, cloudy skies with rain continuing through the day continuing to create patchy fog. Rainfall totals between 1/10 and 1/4-inch are possible. Rain continues Thursday night before changing to snow early Friday as low pressure tracks into the Maritimes and wrap-around moisture and cooler air move into the Saint John Valley. Less than 1/10-inch additional rainfall is expected Thursday night.
For Friday, rain changes to snow in the morning then tapers to snow showers that continue through the afternoon hours as a dissipating cold front moves through Friday night. High pressure interacts with the departing Maritime low to produce gusty west winds in the 25-35 mph range Friday. Mostly cloudy skies with breezy west winds are expected Friday night with scattered snow showers across the Valley and colder air returning the region.
Daily Summary
Today: Snow likely this morning, then snow, rain with a chance of freezing rain this afternoon. Snow accumulation around an inch. Highs around 40. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Tonight: Rain with a chance of freezing rain in the evening, then rain after midnight. Areas of fog. Ice accumulation around a trace. Lows in the lower 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Thursday: Rain. Areas of fog in the morning. Patchy fog in the afternoon. Highs in the mid-40s. South winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog in the evening. Rain likely. Snow likely after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Lows in the lower 20s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Friday: Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the morning, then a chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Light snow accumulation possible. Brisk with highs in the upper 20s. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the evening, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Lows around 10 above. Chance of snow 50 percent.
4-7 Day Outlook: Sat. Mar. 8 – Tue. Mar. 11
Colder air wrapping around the departing low in the Maritimes draws colder air into the SJV with snow/snow showers developing Friday afternoon and continuing into the evening. Isolated snow showers linger overnight into Saturday.
A closed-upper level low drifts into the Maritimes Saturday and Sunday keeping moisture aloft with a chance of scattered snow showers Saturday through Sunday. High pressure brings mostly dry conditions Monday with partly sunny skies for the Valley. Partly cloudy skies are expected Monday night and Tuesday with a chance of scattered snow showers as a small area of low pressure moves by near or to the north of the SJV.
Daily Summary
Saturday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Highs around 20.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cold with lows 5 to 10 above.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs around 20. Chance of snow 30 percent.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows zero to 5 above zero.
Monday: Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows 5 to 10 above.
Tuesday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s.
Tuesday Night: A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy with lows in the lower 10s. Northwest wind 0-7 mph.
8-14 Day Regional Climate Trends: Wed. Mar. 12 – Tue. Mar. 18
Above normal temperatures / Above normal precipitation
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.
