Portland, Maine – Temperatures are plunging into the teens and low 20s overnight, setting the stage for black ice and hazardous travel by early Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, overnight lows will fall as cold as 12 degrees in northern Maine, including Rangeley and Jackman, with much of the state dropping into the mid to upper teens. Southern areas, including Portland, Sanford, and Portsmouth, will bottom out between 20 and 24 degrees through 10 a.m. Sunday.
The rapid freeze will impact untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses across I-95, I-295, and Route 1, where lingering moisture could turn slick before sunrise. Drivers heading out early Sunday should allow extra time and watch for patchy ice, especially in shaded and rural areas.
In New Hampshire, cities like Concord, Manchester, and Lebanon will also see lows between 20 and 22 degrees, contributing to similar travel risks during the morning hours.
Residents are urged to limit overnight travel if possible, check tire traction, and ensure outdoor pipes and pets are protected from the cold.
Conditions will gradually improve after mid-morning Sunday as temperatures rise above freezing, but additional cold nights remain possible into early next week.
