Caribou, Maine – Wind chills plunging to 27 degrees below zero are biting into northern Maine early Monday, creating frostbite risk in under 30 minutes and freezing exposed pavement along Route 1 and Interstate 95 before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, wind chills in the North Woods have dropped into the 20s below zero, with low teens below zero Downeast. Air temperatures will only recover into the low teens north and near 20 degrees Downeast this afternoon despite bright early March sunshine. The bitter cold will keep untreated surfaces slick and could strain vehicle batteries during the morning commute.
Communities including Presque Isle, Fort Kent and Madawaska are seeing the harshest wind chills. Bangor and Ellsworth remain cold but slightly less extreme, though brisk northwest winds will continue to push “feels like” temperatures well below zero through midmorning. Drivers on I-95 from Houlton to Bangor should watch for isolated icy patches, especially on bridges and shaded stretches.
Attention then turns to Tuesday night. A coastal low will track offshore and spread accumulating snow into Downeast Maine after sunset Tuesday. Snow will develop along Route 1 from Ellsworth to Machias and Eastport, tapering early Wednesday morning. Totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible Downeast, with lighter amounts north toward Millinocket and Greenville.
The snowfall could create slushy, snow-covered roads for the Wednesday morning commute, particularly along coastal Hancock and Washington counties. Crews will treat primary highways, but secondary roads may remain slick into midmorning Wednesday. Additional advisories could be issued as the system approaches Tuesday night.
