Caribou, ME – Bitter cold this weekend will be followed by a potential winter storm bringing a wintry mix to northern Maine beginning Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, high temperatures Saturday are expected to remain in the teens, with overnight lows near zero. Wind chills may drop to at or below zero early Sunday, creating hazardous conditions for anyone outdoors for extended periods. Temperatures will moderate slightly Sunday, but breezy conditions will keep wind chills comparable to Saturday’s cold.
Attention then turns to a winter storm expected to move through the region Monday through Monday night. Forecast confidence remains limited due to complex storm dynamics, but current trends suggest a wintry mix will be increasingly likely across a large portion of the forecast area.
Possible precipitation types include snow changing to sleet, rain mixing with snow, or periods of freezing rain, depending on location and temperature profiles. Any of these scenarios could lead to ice accumulation and slushy road conditions, making travel hazardous and snow removal more difficult due to increased liquid content.
The National Weather Service emphasized that uncertainty remains regarding where specific precipitation types will set up and how much snow or ice will accumulate. Recent forecast changes indicate a broader threat area for freezing rain and sleet than previously expected.
Ice and slush on roadways may create slick surfaces, especially during the Monday commute and Monday night. Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and monitor forecast updates closely as the storm approaches.
Residents should also prepare for rapidly changing conditions and ensure cold-weather safety measures are in place through the weekend. Additional advisories or warnings may be issued as forecast confidence improves.
