Caribou, ME – Northeastern Maine is heading into a colder and wetter pattern for the Thanksgiving travel period, as new long-range federal forecasts show a 33–40% probability of above-normal precipitation across Aroostook County from November 23 through November 29. With temperatures already running well below many parts of the Northeast, the region carries one of the strongest early-season snow signals in New England.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, the northern tier of Maine sits near the core of a developing cold pocket stretching across interior New England and into eastern Canada. Even with a moderate precipitation signal, this setup favors periods of snow, mixed precipitation, and potential travel slowdowns—especially overnight or during early-morning hours.
Communities across Aroostook County—including Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Fort Kent, Madawaska, and the St. John Valley—are positioned close to the rain–snow transition zone. In many cases during late November, shallow cold air allows even modest systems to fall as wet snow, producing slick roads along US-1, Route 11, and Route 161.
Higher terrain areas near the North Maine Woods and along the border with Quebec may see the earliest and most consistent snowfall, as elevation and colder air combine to support accumulations.
Closer to the Interstate 95 corridor—from Houlton southward—temperatures may occasionally climb above freezing during the daytime, causing precipitation to fluctuate between wet snow and cold rain. However, any system that arrives during the colder overnight period could still bring slushy or snow-covered road conditions.
Thanksgiving week is one of the heaviest travel periods across northern Maine, and even light snow can cause slowdowns along long rural stretches of I-95, US-1, and Route 89. Air travel delays may be possible at Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle if precipitation aligns with peak departures.
Forecasters expect clearer snowfall timing and totals early next week as short-range models begin resolving individual weather systems.
