Wednesday, Feb. 25-Friday, Feb. 27
High pressure over the region this morning will give way to an approaching low pressure system from the Great Lakes which will lift a warm front followed by a cold front across the region later today and tonight. Mostly clear skies this morning become overcast this afternoon with snow likely.
Accumulations expected around 1-inch with slick spots on area roadways possible, so drivers should exercise caution this afternoon/evening. Southeast wind increase to 5-10 mph this afternoon. High in the low 20s. Tonight, skies become mostly cloudy with snow likely in the evening then a chance of snow overnight. Light southeast wind expected in the evening shifting to the southwest overnight.
High pressure proceeded by a weakening cold front moves into the region Thursday with partly sunny skies and a chance of snow into the afternoon. High in the low 30s falling through the afternoon as colder air builds into the Valley with west wind 10-15 mph gusting up to 25 mph at times. Thursday night, partly cloudy to mostly clear skies with lows in the 0 to 5 above range. Northwest wind 0-5 mph expected overnight.
Friday, as the Can-Am Dogsled Races get underway, mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with a high in the middle 20s and west winds 0-5 mph in the morning becoming south in the evening 0-5 mph. Friday night, partly cloudy skies over the region with a low in the 5 to 10 above range and south wind 0-7 mph.
Saturday, Feb. 28-Tuesday, March 3
Low pressure moving into central Québec and high pressure building into the Plains will push a strong Arctic cold front through the area Saturday. Gusty south winds will develop during the day due to the tight pressure difference between these systems. Rain and wet snow showers are expected Saturday afternoon, mainly across central and northern areas of Maine.
Winds may increase further late in the day as the front approaches. The front will move through early Saturday evening, followed by a sharp temperature drop. Any wet roads could freeze quickly Saturday night, creating icy patches along with continued gusty winds.
A blast of Arctic air will pour into the region behind the cold front Saturday night and continue into Sunday. Even colder air arrives Sunday night as high pressure builds in. By Monday morning, lows will drop into the teens below zero across the region. A light west breeze will make it feel even colder, with wind chills well below zero. Highs Monday will stay far below normal.
For the Saint John Valley, Saturday features partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 30s and a 40 percent chance of precipitation. Saturday night remain partly cloudy with overnight lows around 0.
Partly sunny skies expected Sunday with a high in the 10-15 degree range with temperatures falling into the lower 10s in the afternoon. For Sunday night, partly cloudy in the evening then mostly clear overnight with lows falling into the 15 to 20 below range with wind chill values approaching 30 below at times.
Monday will be mostly sunny but quite cold with highs only around 10 above and wind chill values as cold as -35 degrees. Monday night, mostly clear skies as high pressure remains in control with lows falling to around 10 below zero.
Temperatures begin to recover Tuesday with daytime highs under mostly sunny skies rising into the lower 20s, though wind chill values could reach -25°F in the morning hours. Tuesday night, offshore low pressure brings increasing chances of snow overnight with a low in the 5 to 10 above range.
Daily Forecast Outlook
Today: Partly sunny with a chance of snow this morning, then cloudy with snow this afternoon. Snow accumulation around an inch. Highs in the lower 20s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80 percent.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Snow likely, mainly in the evening. Total snow accumulation around an inch. Not as cool with lows around 14. Southeast winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Thursday: Partly sunny. A chance of snow, mainly in the morning. Little or no additional snow accumulation. Highs in the upper 20s. Temperature falling into the lower 20s in the afternoon. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Colder with lows around zero. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 above. Temperature rising to around 15 after midnight.
Saturday: Partly sunny with a chance of snow and rain showers. Not as cool with highs in the upper 30s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around zero.
Sunday: Partly sunny. Much cooler with highs 10 to 15. Temperature falling to around 10 above in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly clear. Much colder with lows of minus 15 to minus 20. Wind chill values as low as 30 below.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 10 above. Wind chill values as low as 35 below.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. Cold with lows around 10 below.
Tuesday: Sunny. Not as cool with highs in the lower 20s. Wind chill values as low as 25 below in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Chance of snow 30 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.
