Caribou, ME – Maine residents should prepare for a mix of smoky skies and scattered showers this week as wildfire smoke from out West has drifted into the state. As of early Tuesday, the air quality remains acceptable, with the smoke staying primarily above ground. However, forecasts indicate that some of this smoke may reach ground level later today, leading to moderate air quality and a faint smoky odor in certain regions. The smoke is expected to linger until Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, today will see warmer temperatures, with highs reaching the upper 70s and low 80s across most of the state. Despite the smoky conditions, the majority of Maine will remain dry, with only isolated afternoon showers or storms predicted. Overnight and morning hours will generally stay dry, with temperatures cooling down into the mid-50s.
As the week progresses, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Wednesday and Thursday, particularly in the afternoon. However, many areas will likely avoid these storms. Looking ahead, Ernesto, a tropical system, will pass well offshore on Sunday, but it could bring high surf to the Maine coast over the weekend.
Residents should monitor air quality updates, especially in areas where the smoke could settle closer to the ground, and prepare for the possibility of scattered showers as the week continues.
