3-Day Outlook: Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Friday, Dec. 6
For today, some morning flurries are possible thanks to a low cloud deck indicating some moisture over the Valley. Attention then turns to an Alberta clipper approaching from central Canada/Great Lakes area. This will bring the likelihood of snow tonight with precipitation reaching northern Maine in the 8 to 10 p.m. timeframe, based on current forecast model data. Snow continues all night and through the day Thursday as the clipper crosses the region.
Currently, much of the Saint John Valley looks to receive accumulations in the 8- to 12-inch range by storm’s end. Breezy southeast winds are possible Thursday morning with gusts to around 21 mph. Liquid precipitation equivalents are between 1/10 and 1/4 inch tonight and between 1/4 and 1/2-inch Thursday.
Thursday night, snow showers are likely in the evening with a chance of snow showers overnight. 1-3 inches additional accumulation are possible with liquid equivalent precipitation in the 1/10 to 1/4-inch range. Winds shift to the west and increase into the 10-20 mph range with gusts 25-35 mph by Friday morning. Areas of blowing snow will be possible late Thursday into Friday.
On Friday, the clipper low tracks into Labrador with a slight chance of snow showers for the SJV. West winds remain brisk with gusts generally 25+-30 mph possible. Mostly cloudy skies become partly sunny Friday afternoon. A much colder air mass will move into the region later Friday with temperatures plummeting into the low single digits above to around zero, depending on how quickly winds diminish and skies clear Friday night.
Daily Summary
Today: Partly sunny. Isolated flurries this morning. Highs in the mid 20s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Snow. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Not as cool with lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds around 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Thursday: Snow. Snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible. Highs in the lower 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Snow showers likely, mainly in the evening. Patchy blowing snow after midnight. Light snow accumulation possible. Brisk with lows around 17. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, increasing to west 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph after midnight. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Friday: Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Patchy blowing snow in the morning. A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Brisk with highs in the lower 20s. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Colder with lows around zero. Chance of snow 20 percent.
4- to 7-Day Outlook: Saturday, Dec. 7 – Tuesday, Dec. 10
High pressure briefly builds in Saturday with mostly clear skies and frigid temperatures with highs only in the middle teens above. Mostly clear skies are expected Saturday night with lows around zero. A fast-moving clipper approaches Sunday with snow possible by the afternoon and a chance of snow showers Sunday night. This system is not as robust as the previous clipper, so snowfall totals are expected to remain fairly light (perhaps the 1-3 inch range most locations).
An upper-level trough moves overhead by early next week keeping mostly cloudy skies and a chance of snow showers, and possibly some afternoon rain/snow showers, for the Saint John Valley through Tuesday with moderating temperatures as the week progresses.
Daily Summary
Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs around 15.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Cold with lows around zero.
Sunday: Partly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 40 percent.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Not as cool with lows around 15.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow and rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. Lows in the mid-20s.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers. A chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid-30s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Tuesday Night: Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 20s. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
8- to 14-Day Regional Climate Trends: Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Tuesday, Dec. 10
Above normal temperatures / Above 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.
