Caribou, Maine – Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills are impacting much of northern Maine this weekend, with temperatures and wind chills remaining well below normal.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, early Saturday morning wind chill values ranged from the mid-20s below zero across northern Maine to the single digits below zero in Downeast areas. Actual high temperatures Saturday and again on Sunday are expected to remain in the low single digits across the north, with mid-teens along the coast.
The National Weather Service reported that Monday will remain very cold, with highs from the mid-single digits north to the mid-teens Downeast. A slight moderation is expected Tuesday, with highs ranging from the low teens north to near freezing closer to the coast.
Forecasters indicated a weather system is expected to arrive Wednesday as temperatures continue to moderate. Snow may transition to rain in parts of the region, and rain falling on cold surfaces could freeze, producing icy conditions. High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to range from near 30 degrees in northern areas to around 40 degrees along the coast.
Additional warming is expected late in the week, with highs reaching the low to mid-30s Thursday, mid to upper 30s Friday, and into the low 40s by Saturday.
The prolonged cold may affect outdoor workers, students, and commuters, particularly during early morning hours when wind chills are most extreme.
Residents are urged to take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia and to monitor updated forecasts as conditions evolve.
