Caribou, Maine – A changing weather pattern will bring two very different conditions to Maine this weekend, with wildfire smoke reducing air quality on Saturday before a widespread soaking rain arrives late in the day and continues into early Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to spread across the state Saturday, with the densest concentrations expected over southern Maine by Saturday evening. Air quality could deteriorate as the smoke thickens, especially across central and southern communities.
A storm system moving into the region will then bring widespread rainfall beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday morning. The heaviest rainfall is expected across northern Maine, where many locations could receive 0.8 to 1 inch of rain. Much of central Maine is forecast to pick up 0.5 to 0.8 inches, while Downeast areas generally receive 0.2 to 0.5 inches, with locally higher totals possible.
The rain will provide much-needed moisture after recent dry conditions, although scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm may linger into Sunday before the system exits. Travelers should be prepared for periods of reduced visibility in heavy rain and slower travel on wet roads.
Residents should also monitor local air quality conditions on Saturday, particularly those with respiratory conditions who may be more sensitive to wildfire smoke. Another opportunity for widespread wetting rainfall is expected to develop Tuesday night into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
