It's not a lot of precipitation, but enough to cause some slick spots statewide for Thursday morning. Early bird travelers should be on alert for areas of ice and sleet over southern areas. There could be just enough snow to cause concern for northern, western and eastern areas to make the commute hazardous. The interior appears to deal with another round of mixed precipitation overnight Thursday into Friday.

Conditions deteriorate Wednesday night as a cold front moves eastward. The dominant precipitation type will be snow for northern, eastern and western areas, with a risk of trace freezing rain and sleet closer to southern areas. Snow tapers in northern areas by late morning. Southern areas may start off with some snow, but appear to change over to sleet and light amounts of freezing rain before ending in the wee hours of Thursday. 

All in all, a dusting to 2" is possible for much of the state. Higher elevations may see as much as 3". York County and fringe areas may see as much as an inch before changing over. This will be more a nuisance for travel than anything else. 

Temperatures warm to near freezing or above for much of the coastal plain during the day Thursday. Northern and western areas appear to struggle to get to 30°. 

After a lull of activity during the day, a warm front approaches the region Thursday night, bringing mainly rain for the shoreline areas, and a mix of freezing rain and/or sleet for the interior. Areas of fog are possible into Friday morning. Precipitation ends from west to east during the day on Friday. A cold front passes through the region Friday evening, which brings the chance for snow showers and/or snow squalls into the overnight. 

The weekend appears quiet, but cool. The next storm appears possible midweek. 

I have to deal with some family, work and personal issues. I hope to get back into a regular posting routine soon. Thank you for your understanding. 

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► ► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

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​- Mike

After the recent cold snap, a warmer trend is on the way to start the week. After the mercury comes back to reality midweek, temperatures trend upward slightly heading into the weekend. Cooler times return as time passes into the weekend, where temperatures appear to hover a few degrees below normal on average as we head into the middle part of the month, 

The interior is not quite finished with the below zero cold just yet. There will be plenty of time to take advantage of winter outdoor activities, and the chance for more snow in the coming days. 

A warm front approaches the region Sunday, which may bring a light mix of snow and ice to the region Sunday night. Northern areas may pick up an inch or two of snow before the change over. Southern, western and eastern areas may deal with a light glaze of ice with a touch of rain by Monday morning. With the southwest wind flow, temperatures rise into the 30s north and 40s south during the day Monday. A cold front approaches the region Monday night, as passes through the region Tuesday. There is not a whole lot of moisture associated with this, so any amount of snow, ice and rain will be generally light. Tuesday will be the warmest of the two days with 30s for the north, 40s for western, eastern and southern interior areas, and 50s possible along the shorelines. Snow showers are possible on the back side of the frontal boundary Tuesday afternoon into the evening for the north and mountains. Temperatures fall below freezing everywhere by Wednesday morning. Any melting is likely to cause areas of black ice Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

After a quiet but cool day on Wednesday, the rest of the week appears unsettled. There is quite a bit of disagreement among models on how this will play out precipitation wise and amounts, but Thursday through Saturday appears stormy in some manner. Stay tuned for updates.

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► ► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

The region escapes the extreme cold over the Midwest, but it will be cold enough. Wind chill indices appear to remain below zero for the mountains and north until the weekend, with  the coastal plain teetering with 0° Friday before the arctic high slides offshore Saturday to allow air to moderate and settle the wind, albeit briefly. 

The mountains and north may pick up and inch or two of snow as a weak front passes through Saturday afternoon. A warm front approaches from the south late Sunday which may bring some light mixed precipitation overnight into Monday. A frontal boundary approaches the region from the west Tuesday which may bring some light rain showers during the day, switching to snow in the north country heading into the evening. 

The trend is for warmer temperatures into the later part of next week. No significant snow events appear likely over the next 10 days.

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► ► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

The southwest coast sees more snow than originally thought due to a subtle shift in track and cold air holding on. Looking at the fine print on the map, 25° in Harpswell and 36° and Phippsburg. A handful of miles is everything, and in this case, it made all the difference

No changes on the timing of snow ending. This will be a done deal for western and southern areas by noon and clear northern areas by mid-afternoon. The arctic front driving the squall line through this evening is one of concern for travel. Gusty winds, whiteout conditions, and rapid snow accumulation of an inch or two could make driving hazardous. If you are out and about this evening and get caught in a squall, treat it like a tropical downpour. Pull off to the side of the road with your four-way hazard lights on and wait it out. 

Snow totals have been adjusted for the southwest coast. The forecast for the rest of the state remains on track. This also includes accumulation for snow squall activity Wednesday evening,

Once the arctic front passes through Wednesday night, Maine gets grazed by the deep cold affecting the northern plains. Wind chill advisory is in effect for the interior overnight into Thursday morning or longer, pending on conditions. 

Blowing and drifting snow will be an issue for areas that have powder through the remainder of the week. A flying trash can alert may be necessary over western and southern areas Thursday as wind gusts may reach over 30 mph.

Stay warm, drive smart, and stay safe. 

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► ► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

Many areas away from the shorelines are under winter storm warnings, with winter weather advisories posted for most not under warning. Guidance ideas have trended slightly cooler, so some subtle adjustments have been made. This will be a nice snow event for the interior, with snow turning to slush along the coastline. 

Outflow snow showers ahead of the main event is possible for western and coastal areas during daylight hours, with light accumulations possible. Light to moderate snow falls overnight, with coastal areas seeing the switch to rain for southern areas in the wee hours of Wednesday, DownEast areas soon after. Precipitation ends for southern areas by mid-morning, western areas by early afternoon, and by late afternoon north and east. Some isoldated spicy snow squalls could bring flash accumulations of an inch or so Wednesday night for western, southern and eastern  areas.

Expect slow travel, and plan your day accordingly. Snow squalls Wednesday night could bring brief whiteout conditions and slick the roads up once again. 

Snow totals have been tweaked up a bit factoring in the colder solutions. Most of the snow along the shorelines will turn to slush as rain takes control, and may wash away all together along the immediate coast.

The mountains recover some snow pack lost in last weeks rain. The ski hills are likely to get a foot out of this storm. 

In comparison to the big chill going on in the Midwest, Maine escapes the worst of the deep cold. Model idea presented here for Friday morning appears to be the low point for wind chill. Expect wind chill advisories to be posted for the mountains and north Thursday and Friday. Temperatures slowly moderate as we head into the weekend. 

After the storm passes Wednesday, it's quiet and cold into the weekend. A weak clipper may bring some snow showers to the mountains and north Saturday, which may bring an inch or two. A warm front approaches the region Sunday, and may bring some snow showers with light accumulation afternoon into the evening for southern and western areas. 

I have revised this graphic in an effort to make it easier to understand. I appreciate any feedback on this or anything else I do. Feel free to pass along comments on Facebook and Twitter. 

► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► ► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

While it will be a bit messy for Tuesday and Wednesday, the rest of the work week appears cold, but quiet. The real deep cold over the Midwest stays to our west. There will be  below zero starts for interior areas Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, but most areas will see the mercury climb above zero for daytime highs.  We will likely have to deal with wind chill indices in the twenties to teens below zero at times from Wednesday night through Saturday morning.

After this storm midweek, potential for another storm lurks for Sunday, and possibly next Tuesday. More details on that as the week unfolds. 

For western and southern areas, the afternoon drive will be greasy in areas as snow begins to overspread the region. Northern and eastern areas may see some outflow flakes in the afternoon, but the steady precipitation arrives Tuesday night. Precipitation tapers soon after daylight Wednesday for southern areas up into Oxford County, midday for Bangor, and by evening for northern areas.

The shoreline areas will see a change from snow to a light mix to rain late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, which will keep snow totals down there. The heavier snow appears to be in the mountains and foothills. Ski hills should pick up around a foot out of this.

Factoring in dry air and potential for some mixing, 3-6" is likely for the coastal interior and interior areas DownEast. Northern areas may see dry air eat into snow totals up there.

Wind will increase Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Since this snow will be fluffy in nature, expect blowing and drifting snow to be an issue for interior areas through the remainder of the week. 

I will keep track on this and update either Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

For those who are away from the shorelines, the name of the game Thursday will be thermometer and bulletin watching. This will need to be watched closely. Winter weather advisories have already been extended over western areas through mid-morning. This could go on longer than that. This is a classic cold air damming situation, and it may take until the afternoon, perhaps longer for northern areas, to get above freezing. 

Watch for slick spots. Watch for ice accretion on stairs, walkways, tree branches, and vehicles. 

Expect fog to work in as the temperature rises. Visibility will be reduced, and may happen quickly to those who are traveling. 

The high wind watch has been changed to a wind advisory that stretches the entire coastline. Wind gusts 30-40+ mph are likely. There could be some spotty power outages. Also be aware for downdraft wind in any heavy shower (thunderstorm?) which could cause localized damage. Two hands on the steering wheel. Strong wind diminishes from west to east in the afternoon, but a stiff breeze will continue through Thursday night. 

Much of the state will see roughly 1" of liquid from this event. Showers could be heavy at times as this system has tropical characteristics. An isolated thunderstorm is possible. 

After the precipitation ends, expect areas of dense fog until the cold air returns and freezes all of this back up as we head into Friday morning.

This is a mess. 

I apologize for the brief update, but family comes first. 

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

Every mixed precipitation forecast is a bit of a challenge, and this one is no different. With the deep cold over the region, past experience dictates that the cold will not go away gracefully. This is where it will be tricky for areas away from the shorelines through Thursday.

A winter weather advisory for snow and freezing rain is in effect for western areas beginning at noon, northern and eastern areas starting at 5 PM. This will go on overnight into Thursday morning. For now they are scheduled to end at 5 AM for the west and 7 AM for the north and east. Pending on how this evolves, those advisories may be extended. 

Areas along the Quebec border on up into northern areas (blue) see mainly snow with light ice with this system. The central interior areas (pink) could see some light snow accumulations Wednesday, then flip to spotty freezing rain Wednesday night. Temperatures will dictate what happens there on Thursday. The coastal plain (green) won't get into the ballgame until overnight Wednesday into Thursday. With the ground so cold, it may not technically be freezing rain that falls (temperature dependent), but rain which could freeze on contact. This is where is gets tricky with where the thermometer is and what areas could be affected by the two precipitation types. 

Northern and western areas of the state deal with snow showers beginning roughly midday. Warm air invades the atmosphere Wednesday evening and changes the precipitation type to a bit of sleet and pockets of freezing rain. Showers that pop up along the coastal plain may also be pockets of freezing rain also. As temperatures begin to rise, areas of dense fog are likely to become an issue towards Thursday morning. Anyone travelling overnight should be prepared for slick roads and areas of poor visibility. 

For much of the state away from the shorelines, the ground surface is frozen solid due to the recent cold and snow pack. Any areas of actual rain may stick to untreated walkways and roadways and freeze on contact. This is where watching the thermometer is so critical. I say once again that if your car thermometer reads between 32° - 37° degrees, the roads could be below freezing, which presents the chance for slick conditions. As one of my loyal Facebook page followers notes, if you do not see spray from rear tires, chances are you are driving on ice. 

Fog will be an issue for the morning commute most everywhere causing reduced visibility for much of the state. 

Precipitation will increase and become heavy at times, especially along the coast, where the heaviest rain is likely to fall. I am concerned about urban street flooding from melting snow, and potential for hydroplaning on the higher speed roads. DownEast areas are also a concern for some minor flood potential. For areas away from the shorelines, the thermometer will need to be watched closely. Cold air damming is something that will need to be watched for interior areas.  Don't be caught off guard if this turns into more of an ice event. This is going to be a wait and see situation as it unfolds. 

It should also be noted that wind speeds will pick up as the storm passes through Thursday afternoon, and could be gusty at times  with higher end gusts at 25-35+ mph along the coast. For my island followers, it could be a bumpy boat trip home. 

Be on alert for any surprises, and plan your travel accordingly. 

A coastal storm may brush southern and eastern areas late Sunday into Monday morning. That will be monitored and updates will be forthcoming. There is plenty of time and guidance uncertainty for that to change, so stay tuned.

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

Dangerous cold for the western mountains and foothills Monday evening that could see wind chill indices that could reach -35°. For the rest of the state, the wind chill could fall into the -20°s. While this is happening, the snow machine is still working in northern areas. The snow appears on track to dissipate and wind diminish Tuesday morning. 

Highs for Tuesday reach the 20s for southern areas, teens for western and eastern areas, and around 10° for the north. 

I am short on time today, but I wanted to get this out so you are made aware. This could be concerning for the western foothills on up into eastern areas and to the north. The coastal region may get a touch of snow at the onset, but this appears to be a mainly rain event. I am not buying what the models are selling for the warm up over interior areas. This cold air mass the region is experiencing isn't going to leave without a big fight. I do expect a period of freezing rain for areas away from the coastline.

My concern for the pink region is for 1-3" of snow, higher amounts north. With the change to freezing rain I expect a tenth to a quarter inch of ice, with lesser amounts in the north, and more the south and east.

The Quebec border regions on up to the Crown in the blue region  could pick up 6-8" of snow with a glaze of ice, with snow showers on the backside adding another inch or two. 

Coastal areas will see the heavier amounts of precipitation, which will likely fall as rain. With the recent snow and sleet, the melt off could cause areas of urban street flooding. 

Stay tuned. 

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike

I've had some rather peculiar reports on freezing rain over interior areas Sunday morning, so I wanted to provide this graphic to help clear up any confusion. Freezing rain is liquid that freezes on contact. Sleet is essential rain that has refrozen and has landed on the surface in the form of ice pellets. There is a big difference with the two, with significantly different impacts. Sleet can be moved around, albeit begrudgingly. Freezing rain sticks to everything and accumulates. I hope this helps. 

The warm nose has worked in aloft, which has turned this into a sleet show for the southern half of the state. This has impacted projected snowfall amounts. In addition to 1-2+" of sleet, the coast will likely be dealing with freezing rain this afternoon into the evening. 

Keep in mind wind chill indices will be double-digits below zero overnight, through Monday and into Tuesday for much of the interior. Standard road salt will be ineffective, and calcium chloride may be challenged. Temperatures are predicted to warm later in the week, but until then, slick travel is going to a part of the landscape until then.  

​► ► For the latest official forecasts, bulletins and advisories, please check in with the National Weather Service in Gray for western and southern areas, or Caribou for northern and eastern parts of Maine.

For more information from me, please follow the Pine Tree Weather Facebook page and my Twitter feed.

► Your financial donations are much appreciated to keep this site funded and for further development. 

I sincerely appreciate your support not only financially, but also in sharing my efforts with others.

Always stay weather aware! 

​- Mike