Thanksgiving November 28, 2024

11/28/2024

Thanksgiving Midday Update

Winter storm to bring difficult travel for interior areas,
along with the risk for power outages

My humble suggestion for folks traveling over interior areas is to get to where you need to be as soon as possible. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate as the day progresses into the evening. Plow crews may have difficulty keeping up with the banding as the storm intensifies this afternoon. Allow plenty of extra time to get where you need to go.

The National Weather Service offices in Caribou and Gray have expanded winter weather bulletins as forecast confidence has increased. A reminder here that the PTW Weather Wall is there for you with all of the latest forecast information from those offices, along with interactive current observations. It’s a one stop source that is updated 24 hours a day.

Thursday 6 AM (11z) to Friday 10 AM (15z) – A look at 1-hour potential snowfall rates from the 06z HRRR run indicates conditions deteriorate quickly over western areas this afternoon as the storm intensifies. As the precipitation shield expands, eastern areas see potential rapid accumulation rates arrive late in the afternoon and into the evening. This is when the travel challenges take place when the thump caused by frontogenesis occurs. The clash of cold air and the coastal frontal boundary could mix in a bit of sleet in spots over the interior coastal plain.

Along the shores, this is a mainly rain event, which could be locally heavy at times. This could cause ponding on the roadways and hydroplaning potential on the highways. Where rain and snow mix, there is fog potential.

Whether it is nuking snow or dumping rain, travel is likely a challenge no matter the location.

Precipitation tapers off over the west and south between 9 and 11 PM, eastern areas between 2 and 4 AM Friday, and over the north soon after daylight.

Looking at the liquid-equivalent side of this, the forecast amount has increased as the consensus storm track confidence of a coastal hugger has become the case. Most areas south and east of the mountains can expect an inch or more by the time precipitation ends early Friday morning, which is terrific news for the drought-stricken area.

With the coastal hugger track and additional moisture, snowfall amounts have increased further to the north. Bust potential on the low end looms large in the slop zone south and east of the mountains, where heavy, wet snow is expected. Snow-to-water ratios drop quickly south of the foothills to the shorelines.

Folks in western, central, and eastern interior areas may experience power outages, as the rapidly accumulating snow on trees will likely bring down power lines.

Thursday 6 AM (12z) to Friday Noon (17z) - With the storm track along the shorelines, coastal areas have the best chance for the strongest wind gusts. North/northeasterly winds increase during the day, with 25-40 mph gusts possible. The taller hills in the mountains could see breezy conditions at around the same speed.

The wind direction flips to the northwest as the storm tracks into New Brunswick overnight into Friday morning.

Breezy conditions are expected Friday and will slowly diminish toward evening.

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your support!

Always have MULTIPLE ways to receive weather alerts.

Stay aware, stay on alert, and stay safe.

- Mike

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NOTE: The forecast information depicted on this platform is for general information purposes only for the public and is not designed or intended for commercial use. For those seeking pinpoint weather information for business operations, you should use a private sector source. For information about where to find commercial forecasters to assist your business, please message me and I will be happy to help you.