Augusta, ME – Maine residents should brace for an early winter chill as an arctic blast moves into the state beginning Saturday, November 30, bringing freezing temperatures and subzero wind chills through the first week of December.
According to the National Weather Service, the Climate Prediction Center projects a 50–70% chance of below-normal temperatures across much of the northern United States, with the most intense cold focused over the Midwest and New England. Maine will be among the hardest hit, with overnight lows expected to dip into the single digits and wind chills below zero by Monday morning.
Drivers along I-95, from Kittery to Houlton, are urged to prepare for slick road conditions, black ice, and gusty winds that could make travel hazardous, especially during the Monday morning commute. The National Blend of Models (NBM) suggests temperatures could remain in the teens across much of the state through midweek.
This marks the first significant arctic air mass of the season, signaling the transition to full winter conditions across northern states. Meanwhile, the southeastern U.S. is expected to remain above normal, creating a sharp national temperature contrast.
Residents are advised to dress in layers, monitor local forecasts, and protect pets and pipes from the freezing cold.
