Wednesday, March 11-Friday, March 13
Synopsis
A significant winter storm will impact the region today through early Thursday, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain. Precipitation is expected to become steady around mid-morning, beginning mainly as snow in the far north, especially across the Saint John Valley. Areas farther south will quickly transition to sleet, with a mix of sleet and freezing rain developing from Greenville to Millinocket to Houlton. Ice accumulations may increase this evening across this central corridor, creating hazardous travel and potentially causing isolated power outages if ice amounts approach higher totals.
Overnight, freezing rain may linger across the region before gradually changing to rain farther south. Precipitation will taper off from west to east Thursday morning. Warmer temperatures Thursday afternoon will help melting, but colder air returning Thursday night may cause remaining ice to refreeze.
Saint John Valley Outlook
For the Saint John Valley, today will start with snow likely this morning, possibly mixed with a brief period of freezing rain. As the day progresses, snow will mix with and change to sleet, with only a slight chance of freezing rain at times. Snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, along with a light glaze of ice. Temperatures will remain much cooler, with highs in the lower 20s, while gusty east winds add to the wintry feel.
Tonight, precipitation will continue, beginning mainly as sleet with a slight chance of snow or freezing rain, then transitioning to freezing rain and sleet after midnight. Additional snow and sleet accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible, along with one tenth to one quarter inch of ice, which could create very slippery conditions. Temperatures will start in the lower 20s, then slowly rise into the upper 20s overnight.
On Thursday, freezing rain will transition to rain, possibly mixed with some sleet early in the morning before tapering off. Little additional accumulation is expected, though up to one tenth inch of ice may still occur. Highs will reach the mid 30s, before temperatures fall back into the mid 20s during the afternoon as gusty west winds develop. Thursday night will turn much colder, with clearing skies and lows dropping to around 8 above zero.
Friday will bring quieter weather with sunshine giving way to some clouds. Highs will reach the upper 20s. By Friday night, clouds increase again with snow developing after midnight. Light accumulations are expected, with temperatures falling to 10 to 15 degrees, then rising into the lower 20s overnight.
Saturday, March 14-Tuesday, March 17
Synopsis
A fast-moving storm system will bring another round of snow to the region Friday night into early Saturday, with the greatest impacts expected across central and northern areas. Snow will spread into the area Friday night as a clipper system moves east from the Great Lakes. While snowfall amounts will depend on the exact track of the storm, several inches of accumulation are possible inland, with the potential for around 2 to 4 inches or locally higher amounts.
Snowfall could create messy and slippery travel conditions late Friday night into early Saturday morning, especially across interior locations. The system will move away quickly Saturday, with temperatures rising toward freezing north and into the 30s elsewhere, improving road conditions by late morning.
A large storm system developing in the Upper Midwest will bring another round of unsettled weather to the region late Sunday into Monday. Snow is expected to spread into the area Sunday evening, especially across northern and interior locations. As warmer air moves north overnight, the snow will gradually change to rain from south to north. This transition could create messy and slippery travel conditions late Sunday night into early Monday morning, particularly across northern areas before temperatures rise.
Rain and strong south winds will continue through Monday, with the strongest gusts likely Downeast. A strong cold front will cross the region Monday afternoon, possibly producing additional strong wind gusts before cooler, drier air arrives Monday night. High pressure will build in Tuesday into Wednesday.
Saint John Valley Outlook
Snow will continue across the region on Saturday as the departing system lingers, bringing periods of light snow through the day. Additional minor accumulations are expected, with high temperatures near 30 degrees. Snow will gradually taper Saturday evening, with skies becoming partly cloudy overnight. It will turn much colder Saturday night, with lows around 10 above zero.
Sunday begins with sunshine before clouds increase during the afternoon. Temperatures will moderate slightly, with highs in the lower 30s. Another system approaches Sunday night, bringing a renewed chance of snow as temperatures fall to around 20 degrees, then slowly rise into the lower 20s overnight.
On Monday, snow in the morning will likely transition to rain as warmer air moves in. Highs will climb into the mid 40s, making it the mildest day of the period. Rain may mix with or change back to snow Monday night as colder air returns, with lows dropping into the 10 to 15 degree range.
Much cooler conditions return Tuesday with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid 20s. Clearer skies Tuesday night will allow temperatures to fall sharply, with lows near zero.
Daily Forecast
Today: Snow likely with a chance of freezing rain this morning, then sleet, snow with a slight chance of freezing rain this afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Ice accumulation around a trace. Much cooler with highs in the lower 20s. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Tonight: Sleet, a slight chance of freezing rain and snow in the evening, then freezing rain and sleet after midnight. Total snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches. Ice accumulation of a tenth to one quarter of an inch. Lows in the lower 20s. Temperature rising into the upper 20s after midnight. East winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Thursday: Freezing rain with rain with possible sleet in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Little or no additional snow and sleet accumulation. Ice accumulation of up to a tenth of an inch. Not as cool with highs in the mid 30s. Temperature falling into the mid 20s in the afternoon. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph, becoming west 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Much colder with lows around 8 above. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Friday: Sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow in the evening, then snow after midnight. Light snow accumulation. Lows 10 to 15. Temperature rising into the lower 20s after midnight. Chance of snow 90 percent.
Saturday: Snow. Additional light snow accumulation. Highs around 30. Chance of snow 90 percent.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows around 10 above. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Sunday: Sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.
Sunday Night: Snow likely. Lows around 20. Temperature rising into the lower 20s after midnight. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Monday: Snow in the morning. Rain. Not as cool with highs in the mid-40s. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Rain, mainly in the evening. Lows 10 to 15. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
Tuesday: Partly sunny. Much cooler with highs in the mid-20s.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 0.
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.
