Caribou, Maine – Strong storms are expected to sweep across northern Maine Thursday afternoon, threatening travel and outdoor plans with gusty winds, small hail, and bursts of heavy rainfall.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, a cold front will bring a band of thunderstorms to the region Thursday between noon and 8 p.m., with the most intense activity likely after 2 p.m. The storms will target the Central Highlands, Penobscot Valley, and northern counties including Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Washington. Motorists along U.S. Route 1 should expect rapidly changing conditions, especially near Caribou and Houlton.
Winds could gust up to 25 mph, with localized hail and rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter inch, possibly higher in thunderstorms. Power outages and brief flooding in low-lying areas are possible. Residents should secure outdoor objects, charge electronics, and avoid unnecessary driving during the afternoon storm window.
Thunderstorms will taper off Thursday night, with a return to partly sunny skies and drier conditions on Friday. However, another round of showers is likely this weekend, with rain chances peaking Saturday evening.
Five-Day Forecast for Caribou, Maine:
- Wednesday (June 4): Sunny and hazy, high near 84°F. Winds SW 6–13 mph.
- Thursday (June 5): Showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 86°F. Gusts up to 25 mph.
- Friday (June 6): Mostly sunny, high 80°F. Slight chance of early showers.
- Saturday (June 7): Showers likely after 3 p.m. High near 71°F.
- Sunday (June 8): Chance of showers, mostly cloudy, high around 71°F.
