Rain changes to snow for western & coastal areas Thursday into early Friday

Another raw day

For you early birds heading out, be aware of patchy fog around in the valleys and waterways. In some areas freezing fog is possible, so watch the thermometer closely. Take 5° off your vehicle thermometer for a better read on surface temperature. As clouds increase and wind picks up, fog should clear out by around midday.

After a dry morning, showers break out over western and coastal areas this afternoon. As the cold air sinks in aloft, that will change rain over to a brief mix of freezing rain to snow by tonight. Precipitation tapers off Friday morning, ending by roughly noon.

Since Maine is on the fringe of the storm, this sets up forecast challenges. Any deviation of track at this point makes the difference of how accumulations play out.

NOTE: There are still hints of both overperformance and under performance due to the subtle changes in track. Model outliers show as much as 6" of interior York County, to next to nothing for accumulation at all.  Such is life on the fringe of storm. 

I made a slight adjustment to the map posted here yesterday. Southwestern areas have the best chance for accumulation from Fryeburg to Portland south, whichever way I look at it. 

If you are early out the door Friday morning, allow for plenty of extra time and take it slow. Hopefully the annual meeting of the Summer Tires Club doesn't screw up commute times too bad. 

As far as plowing and shoveling goes, this is going to melt. There is no need to tear up the yard. 

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Saturday dry and chilly, Sunday damp

As the storm departs Friday, high pressure moves in for Saturday, and brings bluebird sky with temps in the 30s and 40s. As high pressure moves east Saturday night, clouds increase with the southwest flow heading into Sunday. Showers break out over the region during the day on Sunday with highs in the 40s and 50s.

After the front passes through early Monday, the mountains and north may see snow shower activity through the day, ending early Tuesday.

The pattern appears dry through most of next week. 

Temperature outlook through Wednesday

Below normal temperatures continue to be the rule through the period. Sunday will be above normal marginally. A warmer trend idea is being pitched for later next week. 

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Winter SKYWARN Virtual Spotter Training in November
​*Coming Up Soon*

For those in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Cumberland and York Counties,  here's your opportunity to get involved with the weather community.
​
If you are interested in training for either of the above dates, please email Donald Dumont at the National Weather Service Gray office at donald.dumont@noaa.gov and tell him Mike at Pine Tree Weather sent you. He'll send you the Go To Webinar link to register for the time that works for you.

No matter where you are, your reports are invaluable and helpful to the future of forecasting!

All ages can participate! ​

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​​​​​​Be prepared to receive alerts and stay updated!

BE PREPARED WITH A NOAA Weather Radio.

​For $20-$40, it could provide important information to you when you need it. The weather bands are standard on most public safety scanners, and newer scanner models. Weather radios can be programmed for auto alert.  Click here for more information.

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​​► ► 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

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​- Mike