By Joseph E. Becker, Special to The County
Wed. July 29 – Fri. July 31
An upper-level low pressure will consolidate over New York State today and bring plentiful rainfall to portions of southern New England. The stalled front to the west looks to remain over Quebec through the day and eventually dissipate in the Thursday night into Friday timeframe.
The slow-moving low pressure system will linger over southern New England before gradually moving northeast across the Gulf of Maine Thursday night into Friday. Based on current data, the steadiest and heaviest rainfall expected to remain across southern portions of Maine, while most of the Valley may see only a few isolated showers or little rainfall at all.
Overall rainfall totals have trended lower, although localized heavier amounts are still possible where showers become more persistent. A few thunderstorms could develop Thursday afternoon, but severe weather is not expected at this time. The low is expected to track eastwards near or just south of the Gulf of Maine Friday and near or south of Nova Scotia Saturday.
For the Saint John Valley, today features mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies with a high in the middle 70s. Southeast winds around 5-6 mph gusting up to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10 percent with most rainfall expected in the Allagash region this afternoon.
Tonight, isolated evening showers are possible with areas of fog possible after midnight. Overnight lows fall into the mid-50s with near calm southeast winds shifting to the east overnight.
For Thursday, Saint John Valley residents can expect mostly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of showers in the afternoon and evening hours. High temperatures across the area top out in the low-to-middle 70s in most locations. East winds in the 0-5 mph expected.
Thursday night, mostly cloudy skies become partly cloudy after midnight with a 20 percent chance of showers, mainly in the evening with rainfall amounts, if any, less than 1/10-inch for most locations. Lows dip into the mid-50s with near calm north winds.
Friday, partly sunny skies are expected across the Valley with highs topping out in the upper 70s for most locations. Some isolated afternoon showers are possible with a 20 percent chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts less than 1/10-inch are anticipated. North winds will be in the 0-5 mph range.
Friday night features partly cloudy skies for most of the Valley with lows falling into the middle 50s. North winds 0-5 mph will fall to near calm overnight.
Sat. Aug. 1 – Tue. Aug. 4
Heading into the weekend, Saturday features partly sunny skies with temperatures rising into the lower 80s. Light southwest winds are expected with a 10 percent chance of precipitation. Saturday night, partly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of showers after midnight as a cold front approaches across Quebec. Temperatures fall into the lower 60s with south winds 0-7 mph.
Sunday, the cold front with a wave of low pressure tracking to the north approaches bringing a 70 percent chance of showers and isolated afternoon thunderstorms. High in the low 80s with southwest wind 0-7 mph. Sunday night, a 60 percent chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms across the Valley with lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 0-7 mph for most locations.
The cold front tracks east across the Valley Monday with a 40 percent chance of showers and isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime highs reach the upper 70s with west winds 0-7 mph. West winds in the 0-7 mph range. Monday night, a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening with a 20 percent chance of showers possible overnight into Tuesday. Lows drop into the mid-50s with northwest winds 0-7 mph expected.
High pressure builds across the Valley Tuesday with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. A slight chance of showers is possible over the course of the day. Tuesday night, a slight chance of evening showers with partly cloudy skies overnight and lows in the middle 50s. Light northwest winds are expected.
Daily Forecast
Today: Mostly cloudy. Isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the mid-70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers in the evening. Areas of fog after midnight. Lows in the mid-50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. Isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. East winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows in the mid-50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Friday: Partly sunny. Isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid-50s.
Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a chance of showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with showers likely in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely, mainly in the evening. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Monday: Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the mid-50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the mid-50s. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Weather Notice: The weekly forecast, by UMFK Professor Joseph E. Becker, is 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.
