NWS Caribou, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
375
FXUS61 KCAR 181811
AFDCAR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Caribou ME
211 PM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Light snow Friday night into Saturday may result in some minor
travel difficulties, especially across northern areas.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Light snow Friday night into Saturday may result in some minor
travel difficulties, especially across northern areas.
KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
Overunning precipitation develops Friday evening in advance of low
pressure approaching from the west. The precipitation is
expected to be primarily in the form of light snow Friday
evening and Friday night, except a snow/rain mix is expected
near the coast and Downeast. There are notable differences with
the track and timing of the approaching low. The NAM takes the
low just off to our north Friday night, while the Canadian
regional is further south, tracking the low across the Bangor
region through interior Downeast. GFS is even further south and
keeps precipitation closer to the coast and far northern Maine
precipitation free. Stayed with the model blended solution
which favored a somewhat wetter system and slower onset of
precipitation Friday evening, and a somewhat slower ending time
on Saturday. Precipitation on Saturday is expected to be snow
or a rain snow mix north of the Katahdin region, with mainly
rain for the Bangor region and Downeast. Snow accumulation
Friday night into Saturday is expected to be mainly light (one
to three inches) across the north with generally an inch or less
for the Bangor region and Downeast. But some minor travel
impacts are possible an area roads late Friday night into
Saturday morning.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
VFR through Thursday. Winds decreasing to light and variable
this evening, shifting S around 10 kts Thursday with gusts up to
20 kts at northern terminals.
Thursday Night: Mainly VFR. A period of MVFR is possible with
-SHSN at northern Aroostook County terminals. South winds 5 to
10 kts.
Friday...VFR.
Friday night and Saturday...MVFR or lower in snow north and
snow/rain south.
Saturday night and Sunday....VFR/MVFR possible.
Monday...VFR.
&&
.MARINE...
Winds have decreased below advisory thresholds, but seas will
remain elevated through this evening on the intracoastal waters
and overnight across the rest of the waters. Winds and seas
below advisory thresholds are expected Thursday into Friday. A
dominant wave period around 9 to 10 seconds is expected.
Winds/seas remain below SCA levels Friday and then increase
to SCA levels or greater Friday night and into the weekend.
&&
.CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ050-051.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for ANZ052.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...TWD
AVIATION...TWD/MWS
NWS CAR Office Area Forecast Discussion
