PORTLAND, Maine – A mild start to November won’t last long across northern New England, as a stronger pattern shift is expected to bring colder air and a rising snow potential between November 9 and 15. Residents from Maine to upstate New York are urged to prepare for a fast-developing transition from fall warmth to early winter conditions ahead of Thanksgiving travel season.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across the Northeast are expected to trend near normal while much of the nation warms, setting the stage for sharper cold intrusions from Canada. At the same time, the precipitation outlook tilts above normal for coastal Maine, New Hampshire, and parts of Vermont and New York — a signal that the region could see its first accumulating snow of the season, especially in higher elevations and interior valleys.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service offices in Gray, Caribou, Burlington, and Albany caution that the pattern favors quick-moving systems capable of producing bursts of heavy wet snow and slick road conditions. Commuters along I-95, I-89, and the Adirondack corridors should expect variable travel through mid-month.
Homeowners are urged to winterize early — clear gutters, insulate pipes, and secure outdoor items — before the colder, stormier stretch arrives. Power companies across the region also recommend charging backup batteries and preparing generators in case of early outages tied to heavy snow or ice-laden trees.
