Caribou, ME – The National Weather Service in Caribou has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for northern and central Maine, warning of life-threatening wind chills and dangerous travel conditions Thursday night into early Friday.
Forecasters say temperatures will plummet behind a strong cold front, with wind chill values dropping to between -25°F and -15°F across Aroostook, Somerset, and Piscataquis counties. The combination of bitter cold and gusty northwest winds will create the potential for flash freezing, especially on untreated roads and open fields.
“Bundle up, limit time outdoors, and bring pets inside,” meteorologists advised. “Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes under these conditions.”
In addition to the cold, blowing snow could reduce visibility in the Central Highlands and near the St. Lawrence River, with a few light snow showers expected overnight. Over coastal waters, gale-force winds will continue into early Friday morning, posing hazards to small vessels.
The NWS is also urging residents to use space heaters safely, keeping them clear of flammable materials and turning them off when unattended.
The next chance for snow showers is expected late this weekend into early next week. For updated forecasts and safety information, visit weather.gov/car or follow @NWSCaribou on social media.
