A deep December chill grips northern Maine this morning, with temperatures near -3°F in Caribou and wind chills dipping below -15°F. But the bigger story arrives midweek — a developing winter system set to deliver a fresh blanket of snow from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, this system could bring 3 to 5 inches of accumulation across Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Penobscot counties, including Caribou, Houlton, and Millinocket. Snow is expected to begin Wednesday afternoon, increasing in intensity through the evening before tapering early Thursday.
Travelers along U.S. Route 1 and I-95 north of Bangor should plan for slick, snow-covered roads and reduced visibility Wednesday night. Gusty east winds up to 20 mph could cause light drifting, especially across open fields and rural roads. Residents are encouraged to allow extra commute time, and keep emergency supplies in vehicles as temperatures remain in the teens through Thursday.
Behind the storm, another wave of Arctic air sweeps in late week, with highs only in the low 20s by Friday and single-digit lows by the weekend. The pattern signals a true early-winter setup across northern New England — with more snow chances expected between Dec. 14–17 as holiday travel increases.
Five-Day Outlook (Caribou, ME)
- Tuesday: Increasing clouds, high 15°F, low 7°F.
- Wednesday: Snow developing, high 26°F, low 21°F.
- Thursday: Snow showers early, high 27°F, low 9°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high 21°F, low 12°F.
- Saturday: Chance of snow, high 22°F.
