CARIBOU, Maine – The quiet hum of early-morning wind over frost-tipped fields may be the last calm before the next winter tease. Northern Maine is bracing for a complex system expected to bring a mix of rain and snow late this weekend, potentially ushering in the first widespread accumulation of the season for parts of Aroostook County and the North Woods.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, scattered rain and snow showers continue today across northern Maine, mainly north of Greenville and west of Caribou. Temperatures will hover in the upper 30s to low 40s, with clouds thickening through the day. Conditions briefly dry out Friday and Saturday — a short window before the main system arrives.
Forecasters are monitoring a developing low expected to track along the East Coast late Saturday into Sunday. If the storm takes a more northern path, rain could reach as far inland as Presque Isle and Houlton. A southern shift, however, would mean heavier snowfall and a quicker transition to snow across Aroostook County and the higher terrain. Current guidance favors rain Downeast and accumulating snow north of Route 11, with gusty winds and slick travel possible Sunday.
Residents should prepare for changing road conditions and reduced visibility by Sunday morning, especially on rural routes and logging roads. While totals remain uncertain, confidence is growing that a measurable snowfall is likely for northern Maine before the system clears Monday.
It’s a clear sign that the winter pattern is tightening its grip — a reminder to keep shovels handy and travel plans flexible as Thanksgiving week approaches.
