Caribou, ME – Drivers across northern and central Maine should prepare for potentially slick roads early Wednesday as a brief period of freezing rain moves into the region ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Caribou office.
According to forecasters, freezing rain may develop between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the highest risk for icy travel stretching from north of Dover-Foxcroft to south of Presque Isle. The NWS warns that the early timing—before temperatures rise above freezing—could make untreated roads slippery, especially in shaded areas and on bridges.
The precipitation is expected to transition to plain rain by late morning, spreading across much of Maine through the afternoon and tapering off from south to north by Wednesday night. Despite the early hazards, forecasters say the rest of the travel window improves gradually as temperatures climb.
Thanksgiving Day is expected to remain mostly dry, with any lingering morning precipitation ending in northern areas. Cloudy conditions and seasonable temperatures will make for a relatively calm and travel-friendly holiday.
By Friday, however, another system will bring scattered snow showers, particularly across northern Maine. The NWS says these showers could produce gusty winds and reduced visibility, with minor travel impacts possible for those returning home or heading into the weekend.
The outlook for Saturday and Sunday remains mostly dry, though coastal Maine may see a few rain showers on Sunday while northern areas pick up a couple of additional snow showers.
Residents planning early-morning travel Wednesday are urged to monitor updated forecasts and give themselves extra time if heading through areas most likely to experience freezing rain.
