Caribou, Maine – Residents across Maine should prepare for a wet day as periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms spread across the state, with the heaviest rainfall expected in Downeast communities. While rain will gradually taper to scattered showers tonight, another unsettled stretch of weather is expected to develop during the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, occasional rain and isolated thunderstorms will affect much of northern and eastern Maine throughout today. The greatest rainfall totals are forecast across Downeast Maine, where storm totals of 0.25 to 0.50 inches are possible in areas including Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Machias, and Eastport. Farther north, including Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Fort Kent, and Millinocket, most locations are expected to receive 0.10 to 0.20 inches of rainfall, though isolated higher amounts may occur beneath heavier showers.
Afternoon temperatures will remain seasonably mild, reaching the lower to middle 70s across much of the state, including 74 degrees in Caribou, Fort Kent, and Houlton, 73 degrees in Presque Isle and Bangor, and 71 degrees near Millinocket and Eastport.
Drivers on Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and other regional highways should be prepared for reduced visibility and slick roads during heavier rain. Although widespread severe weather is not expected, isolated thunderstorms could produce brief downpours and cloud-to-ground lightning.
Rain will diminish to scattered showers tonight, but another chance for showers and thunderstorms returns Saturday afternoon and continues into Monday as a low-pressure system and an approaching cold front move through the region.
Keep rain gear handy if you’ll be outdoors today, and monitor updated forecasts through the weekend as additional showers and thunderstorms develop.
