Wednesday, May 13-Friday, May 15
Per old weather lore, we are in the period of the “Ice Saints,” which often mark one of the last cold snaps of the departing winter season as warmer weather begins to take hold. After a frosty start this Wednesday morning, high pressure will bring mostly sunny skies as it drifts east. High clouds will begin to move over the region today ahead of surface low pressure over the Great Lakes and an associated upper-level low. Clouds will thicken as the day progresses with mostly cloudy skies overspreading the Valley by this evening. Highs today reach the upper 50s to lower 60s for most Valley locations. West winds in the 0-5 mph range are expected.
Tonight, as the upper level-low moves southeast towards the Mid-Atlantic, mostly cloudy to overcast skies are expected with a 70 percent chance of light rain, mainly after midnight. However, due to upper-level high pressure building west from the Maritimes, most places will see only light showers, with rainfall totals staying under 0.10-inch tonight. Lows tonight fall into the lower 40s with light southeast winds.
Thursday, high pressure will continue to block much of the rain, and the best chance for steadier rain will stay south and west of the Saint John Valley. Showers are likely in the morning with partly sunny skies and a chance of isolated-to-scattered showers for the SJV Thursday afternoon. Daytime highs reach the upper 50s to low 60s with southeast winds in the 4-6 mph range. Thursday night, partly cloudy skies overspread the Valley with lows falling into the low to mid-40s with near calm winds. Some patchy fog is possible overnight.
Friday, conditions look to improve as high pressure builds into the region with decreasing cloudiness and northeast winds in the 0-5 mph range. Highs top out in the middle 60s for most locations. Friday night, partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the lower 40s and near calm winds are expected.
Saturday, May 16-Tuesday, May 19
Temperatures will climb to well above normal levels through the weekend as warmer air continues to build into the region. Exactly how warm temperatures become will depend on how quickly the departing cooler system exits and how strong the incoming ridge of high pressure develops. A slower transition would keep temperatures somewhat cooler, while a stronger ridge could support even warmer conditions than currently projected.
Saturday will begin mostly sunny before becoming partly sunny during the afternoon as fair-weather clouds develop. Highs on Saturday are expected to reach the upper 60s to lower 70s across northern Maine. While most locations should remain dry, there is a slight chance that a few brief light showers could develop later in the day or Saturday night. Overnight lows Saturday night will fall into the upper 40s under partly cloudy skies.
Sunday will trend even drier, with mostly sunny skies and noticeably lower humidity developing by afternoon. High temperatures on Sunday will range through the mid-60s, followed by clear skies Sunday night with lows dropping into the upper 30s to low 40s.
Warm and generally dry conditions are expected to continue into early next week. Monday will be sunny with highs in the mid-60s, followed by partly cloudy skies Monday night and lows in the mid-40s.
Tuesday will begin partly sunny before becoming mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers developing during the afternoon. Tuesday’s highs are expected to reach the upper 60s to lower 70s across much of the region, depending on cloud cover. A chance of showers continues into Tuesday night with temperatures in the low 50s.
Daily Forecast
Today: Mostly sunny this morning, then becoming partly sunny. Widespread frost this morning. Highs in the upper 50s. West winds around 5 mph, becoming south with gusts up to 15 mph this afternoon.
Tonight: Rain likely. Lows around 40. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely, mainly in the morning. Highs in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 40s. Southeast winds around 5 mph, becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Friday: Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers in the morning. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.
Saturday: Mostly sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 40s.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid-60s.
Sunday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid-60s.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid-40s.
Tuesday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. A 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain showers. Lows around 50. Chance of showers is 50 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.
