Portland, ME – A surge of Arctic air will plunge into Maine late next week, delivering subzero wind chills, single-digit lows, and dangerous cold from Thursday, December 11, through Monday, December 15. The cold outbreak will affect the entire state, including Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Presque Isle, and Bar Harbor, as the coldest air of the season arrives just ahead of the holiday stretch.
According to the National Weather Service Gray, ME, the Arctic front will move in Thursday night, sending morning lows into the single digits and below zero across northern Maine. Wind chills are expected to dip to –20°F or colder, particularly in the Aroostook and Somerset County regions, where winds will be strongest.
Forecasters say the pattern will be mostly dry, but light snow showers and flurries are possible Friday and Saturday, especially in the mountains and Down East coastal zones. Any accumulation is expected to be minimal, though icy travel conditions could develop in spots.
Residents are advised to prepare now for extreme cold — ensuring heating systems are ready, bundling up in layers, and limiting time outdoors. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes when wind chills drop below –20°F. Pet owners should also bring animals indoors for safety.
The Arctic cold is expected to linger through Monday, December 16, before a slow rebound in temperatures midweek. A secondary cold wave may follow before Christmas, keeping the state below seasonal averages.
For continuing updates, follow the National Weather Service Gray, ME, Caribou offices, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency for cold-weather alerts and safety guidance.
