Tuesday, Dec. 30-Thursday, Jan. 1
A strengthening storm moved through Maine today (Tuesday), producing periods of snow mainly across the north. Aroostook County saw the heaviest snowfall early this morning before snow tapered and shifted toward the Canadian border. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for northern Aroostook County.
As the system departs, colder air arrives with increasing west winds tonight, gusting 35 to 40 mph, creating blowing snow and a slight risk of isolated power outages. Temperatures fall from the 20s into the teens this afternoon, then drop below zero across the County with dangerous wind chills possible. Wednesday and New Year’s Eve will be cold and mostly quiet with a few flurries. Another disturbance Wednesday night into Thursday may bring light snow, mainly Downeast, with some snow possible Thursday morning.
Very cold temperatures are expected Thursday with highs around 10 falling to around 5 above as the day progresses. Overnight lows Thursday night fall to around 10 below zero across the Saint John Valley.
Friday, Jan. 2-Tuesday, Jan. 6
Cold weather will remain the main story through the weekend across Maine. A large storm system sitting north in central Canada will keep sending waves of cold air southward, preventing any meaningful warmup.
Daytime temperatures will stay bitterly cold, with highs mainly in the single digits to low teens across northern Maine. Nights will be especially cold, dropping to around 10 below zero in the County. Gusty winds at times will make it feel even colder, with wind chills possibly falling into the 20 to 30 below zero range late this weekend.
Looking ahead, the next chance for snow may arrive early next week. Forecast models suggest a weak weather disturbance could break away from the larger system in Canada and move through Maine. While confidence is increasing that something could pass through, details such as timing, track, and snowfall amounts remain uncertain at present.
Daily Forecast Outlook
Today: Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch possible. Highs around 18. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of snow showers in the evening. Much colder with lows around 3 below. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of snow 20 percent. Wind chill values as low as 22 below.
Wednesday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Cold with highs around 9 above. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Wind chill values as low as 21 below.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of snow after midnight. Cold with lows around 1 below. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of snow 20 percent.
New Years Day: Partly sunny. A slight chance of snow in the morning. Cold with highs around 10 above. Temperature falling to around 5 above in the afternoon. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of snow 20 percent.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 below.
Friday: Mostly sunny. Cold with highs around 5 above. Wind chill values as low as 25 below.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Cold with lows 5 below to 10 below zero.
Saturday: Partly sunny. Cold with highs around 5 above. Temperature falling to around zero in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Cold with lows 10 below to 15 below zero.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Cold with highs zero to 5 above zero. Wind chill values as low as 30 below.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 below.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Cold with highs around 10 above.
Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0 to 5 below. Chance of snow is 40 percent.
Tuesday: A chance of snow in the morning. Partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs 15 to 20. Chance of snow is 30 percent.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow. Lows 0 to 5 below. Chance of snow is 20 percent.
Weather Notice: The weekly forecast is by UMFK Professor Joseph E. Becker based on available computer models and data and may not reflect current conditions or later forecast updates. Check The County.me or the National Weather Service Caribou, Maine for the most recent weather information for the Saint John Valley.
