Caribou, Maine – Life-threatening cold is set to grip northern and central Maine overnight, with dangerously low wind chills creating hazardous conditions through early Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from 1 AM until 10 AM EST Saturday for a broad section of northern Maine. Wind chills are expected to plunge as low as 39 degrees below zero, making frostbite possible on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The warning covers much of Aroostook County along with northern Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Washington counties. Communities impacted include Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Kent, Madawaska, Houlton, Millinocket, Greenville, Dover-Foxcroft, Lincoln, Patten, Danforth, Ashland, Van Buren, and Baxter State Park.
Emergency officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during the overnight and early morning hours. Those who must be outside should wear insulated layers, hats, gloves, and face coverings to protect exposed skin. Extra precautions are advised for children, outdoor workers, and anyone without reliable heat.
The Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect from 1 AM through 10 AM Saturday, with temperatures expected to slowly moderate later in the morning. Additional advisories could be issued if dangerous cold conditions persist longer than expected.
