A fluctuating mix of wintry conditions is forecast to impact Maine throughout the week, with snow expected to start Tuesday and temperatures swinging dramatically, according to the National Weather Service.
The initial wave of precipitation will arrive late Tuesday, potentially bringing 2 to 3 inches of snow to a diagonal band stretching from Fryeburg to Calais, including areas near Lewiston, and Bangor. York County and the southern coastline are predicted to receive 1 to 2 inches of snow late Tuesday into Wednesday. Regions just north of the Rumford, Skowhegan, Lincoln, and Danforth areas are too expected to see 1 to 2 inches of snowfall, the weather service’s Caribou office reported.
Commuters in southwestern Maine may encounter snowfall during the evening commute, while the Down East region is not expected to be affected until late Tuesday night. In southern portions of the state, the snow is anticipated to transition to a wintry mix overnight, potentially including some freezing rain, according to meteorologist Michael Clair at the weather service’s Gray office.
“There might be a little bit of freezing rain in there, but mostly on top of the snow that falls,” Clair said Monday.
While the immediate forecast calls for snow and ice, a period of warmer weather is expected to follow. As the wintry weather subsides on Wednesday, temperatures are predicted to climb into the high 40s across southern, central, and Down East Maine. Even Aroostook County could see temperatures rise above freezing, the Caribou office indicated.
Although, this reprieve will be short-lived. A return of colder air is forecast for Thursday, with temperatures expected to drop into the 20s across much of southern Maine. Further precipitation is possible late Thursday or Friday, though Clair noted uncertainty regarding the type and amount.
“There’s still some question as to how much moisture makes it this far north,” Clair said, adding that any precipitation arriving later in the week is more likely to be a wintry mix than snow.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the weather service is currently forecasting a significant warming trend, with temperatures potentially reaching the high 40s and low 50s across much of the state, including Houlton, by Sunday. However, Clair cautioned that these longer-range forecasts are subject to change.
“There’s a bit of weather to get through before we can think about a weekend warmup,” he said.
The Maine Turnpike Authority has reminded drivers to prepare for winter driving conditions, and offers real-time traffic camera views on its website. maineturnpike.com
