3-day Outlook: Wednesday, March 27 – Friday, March 29
An upper-level low over the Great Lakes and a strong ridge of high pressure in the Atlantic will serve to channel warm, moisture-rich air over the region with disturbances traveling northwards in the flow aloft. This will serve to bring significant rainfall to Maine during the late week period.
The National Weather Service in Caribou notes that “[s]ignificant rainfall Thursday and Friday, combined with snowmelt, increases the risk of urban and small stream flooding Thursday night into Friday. Main stem rivers such as the Piscataquis and Mattawamkeag may also rise towards bankfull or greater late this week or early next week, respectively.”
For today and tonight, cloudy skies with rain and drizzle are expected along with patchy fog tonight. Rain is likely Thursday as the upper-trough to our west moves closer to the region and atmospheric dynamics allow for steadier rainfall over the course of the day. Meanwhile, low pressure looks to develop near the Southeast US coast Thursday and track up the coast off the Mid-Atlantic Thursday night and eventually into the Maritimes Friday into Saturday. As noted above, this system will bring significant rainfall to the region along with a some snow mixing in at times across the north Thursday night and Friday. Northwest winds will become gusty Friday as the low strengthens as it moves towards the Maritimes. Winds are expected to remain elevated Friday night into Saturday.
Apex Wx Daily Summary
Today: Cloudy with a 90 percent chance for rain/drizzle. Rainfall totals in the 1/10 to 1/4-inch range. High around 43. Southeast wind 4-5 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy with a 70 percent chance for rain/drizzle. Rainfall totals in the 1/10 to 1/4-inch range. Low near 40. South wind 2-3 mph.
Thursday: Cloudy with a 60 percent chance for rain. Rainfall totals in the 1/10 to 1/4-inch range. High around 50. South/southwest wind near calm becoming northwest 2-3 mph.
Thursday night: Mostly cloudy with a 70 percent chance for snow in the evening mixing with rain overnight. Rainfall totals in the 1/10 to 1/4-inch range. Low near 35. Northwest wind 3-5 mph.
Friday: Cloudy with a 50 percent chance for rain mixing with snow at times. Rainfall totals in the 1/4 to 1/2-inch range. Northwest wind 12-16 mph gusting in the 25-30 mph range.
Friday night: Cloudy with a 70 percent chance for rain and snow. Rainfall totals in the 1/4 to 1/2-inch range. Low near 36. Northwest wind 15-22 mph
4- to 7-day Outlook: Saturday, March 30 – Tuesday, April 2
Rain and snow continue Saturday before tapering to some lingering snow showers Saturday night into Easter Sunday as the low over the Maritimes fills in and drifts east by early next week. Partly sunny skies are expected Sunday with partly cloudy skies Sunday night into Monday as high pressure builds across the SJV. High pressure to the north brings partly sunny skies Monday and Tuesday with partly cloudy conditions overnight into Tuesday. A system will approach towards midweek with a slight chance for rain/rain showers by Tuesday afternoon.
Apex Wx Daily Summary.
Saturday: Cloudy in the morning then mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance for rain changing to snow then tapering to snow showers. High around 36. Northwest wind 15-22 mph gusting in the 30-35 mph range.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance for rain and snow showers in the evening. Low near 25. Northwest wind 8-14 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance for snow showers. High around 39. Northwest wind 8-14 mph.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance for snow showers. Low near 23. Northwest wind 8-14 mph.
Monday: Partly cloudy with a 10 percent chance for snow showers. High around 40. Northwest wind 8-14 mph.
Monday night: Partly cloudy with a 10 percent chance for precipitation. Low near 25. Northwest wind 0-7 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance for afternoon rain/rain showers. High around 43. Northeast wind 0-7 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance for rain/snow mix. Low near 29. East/northeast wind 0-7 mph.
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.
