3-Day Outlook: Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Friday, Feb. 14
NWS Caribou has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect from 5 am Thu. Feb. 13 until 12 midnight Thursday night.
Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 7 and 13 inches. Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
High pressure will bring mostly sunny skies today as it crosses Maine. Tonight, clouds increase as low pressure lifts from the eastern Great Lakes and tracks across the region Thursday. Snow, heavy at times, is expected Thursday morning into the afternoon with snow showers likely Thursday night into early Friday.
Isolated snow showers are expected across the SJV Friday with gusty west/northwest winds across the Valley as high pressure builds in and the departing low pressure tracks to the east. Many Saint John Valley locations may see up to a foot of new snowfall by Friday morning with areas of blowing snow possible Friday into Friday night.
Daily Summary
Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 10 above. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening, then cloudy with a chance of snow after midnight. Cold with lows around 7 below. Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming east after midnight. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Thursday: Snow. Areas of blowing snow. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation of 8 to 13 inches possible. Highs around 14. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Snow showers, mainly in the evening. Light snow accumulation possible. Lows around 3 above. South winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming west 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of snow 80 percent.
Friday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Patchy blowing snow. Brisk with highs around 12. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear. Cold with lows around 10 below.
4- to 7-day Outlook: Saturday, Feb. 15 – Tuesday, Feb. 18
High pressure builds across the Valley Saturday with mostly cloudy skies and cold conditions. Partly cloudy skies Saturday night give way to increasing clouds as the next storm system approaches. A low pressure area looks to track along the Downeast cost Sunday into Monday with a chance of snowfall for the Valley Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
Based on current forecast model data, this system has the potential to produce another 8+ inches of snowfall for the SJV; however, there are also signals that this system may impact the Downeast region more significantly than northern Maine. Nonetheless, this system bears monitoring as the week progresses.
Snow tapers to snow showers Monday afternoon with snow showers lingering into Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Caribou notes that “between the departing deepening low and the incoming ridge of high pressure, another period of tightened pressure gradient aloft could lead to another day of strong wind gusts and potential for a return of blowing and drifting snow.”
Daily Summary
Saturday: Mostly sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs around 10 above.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 below.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Highs around 15. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Sunday Night: Snow. Not as cool with lows 5 to 10 above. Chance of snow 90 percent.
Washingtons Birthday: Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the morning, then a chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Highs 15 to 20. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 5 below.
Tuesday: Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs 5 to 10 above.
8- to 14-day Regional Climate Trends: Wednesday, Feb. 19 – Tuesday, Feb. 25
Near 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.
