By Joseph E. Becker, Special to The County
3-Day Outlook: Wed. Dec. 11 – Fri. Dec. 13
National Weather Service in Caribou has issued the following:
High Wind Warning 7 pm EST Dec. 11 until 6 am Dec. 12
Flood Watch in effect from 12 noon until 10 am Thursday morning
The latest road conditions for Maine can be obtained by going to newengland511.org.
NWS Caribou reports that “a storm system from the south will bring a widespread soaking rain to the region this afternoon into tonight. Warm temperatures will melt snowpack and could cause localized flooding in small stream and urban areas. Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5 inches are expected, but locally higher amounts of 3 to 4 inches are possible in more persistent bands of heavier rain.” Additionally, “South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.”
Strengthening low pressure will track north from the Mid-Atlantic today and into Québec tonight. A warm front will lift across the Saint John Valley today followed by a cold front tonight. Gusty northwest winds develop as the low continues to track into Canada while a strong Arctic air mass moves in behind the departing cold front tomorrow. Consequently, several advisories, watches, and warnings have been issued by NWS Caribou for today and tonight.
Temperatures will climb into the middle 40s today then drop into the mid-30s tonight. Temperatures will then fall Thursday into the middle teens Thursday night with daytime highs only in the lower 20s Friday as the Arctic air mass settles into the SJV with lighter winds across the region.
Daily Summary
Today: Rain and freezing rain early this morning, then rain this afternoon. Patchy fog. New ice accumulation of up to one tenth of an inch. Much warmer with highs in the mid-40s. southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Tonight: Rain. Patchy fog. Rain may be heavy at times in the evening. Windy with lows in the lower 30s. South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
Thursday: Partly sunny. A chance of snow showers in the morning. Highs in the mid-30s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 14. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny. Highs around 20. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Lows around 10 above.
4-7 Day Outlook: Fri. Dec. 13 – Mon. Dec. 16
Cold high pressure will build across the region Friday into Saturday and crest over the area Sunday morning. Highs in the low 20s with lows in the lower teens Friday night and temperatures in the single digits to below zero are possible Saturday night depending on clouds/wind. By early next week, a frontal system may affect the area; however, forecast model resolutions clarity at this time, though morning snow showers and afternoon rain showers are possible Tuesday.
Daily Summary
Saturday: Sunny. Highs around 20.
Saturday Night: Clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Cold with lows zero to 5 above zero.
Sunday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid-20s.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Not as cool with lows around 20.
Monday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s. Chance of snow 40 percent.
Tuesday: A chance of snow showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Highs around 40. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
8-14 Day Regional Climate Trends: Wed. Dec. 18 – Tue. Dec. 24
Above normal temperatures / Near normal precipitation
Note: Computer model precision diminishes the further into the week the forecast projects. Check The County.me or the National Weather Service Caribou, ME at for weather updates with more current information for the Saint John Valley.
The Week Ahead is the work of UMFK Professor Joseph E. Becker based on personal weather station data, various computer forecast models, and information that the National Weather Service, NOAA, and other weather resources provide.
