NWS Caribou, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
593
FXUS61 KCAR 120824
AFDCAR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Caribou ME
324 AM EST Fri Dec 12 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
A series of troughs cross the region today, as a strong low
tracks through the Canadian Maritimes. Weak high pressure
builds in tonight, then exits to the east on Saturday. Low
pressure tracks east of Nova Scotia Sunday. High pressure
builds across the region Monday into Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Key Messages:
*Hazardous morning/afternoon commute, due to blowing snow
causing visibility reductions
*Additional light snowfall in the north this morning
Low pressure system continues to depart to the northeast today,
as weak shortwaves follows in the wake of the system, keeping
light snow showers in the Crown of Maine. About an
inch or two in additional snowfall accumulation is possible in
the Crown of Maine. Daytime highs in the low-to-mid 20s. High
pressure builds to the south of New England, maintaining a tight
pressure gradient over the state. Highest gusts expected this
afternoon, as upper- level low pressure continues to move
northeast away from Maine, allowing for more ample mixing with
winds aloft. Gusty westerly winds reach up to 30-35mph during
the day. With high snowfall ratio snow falling on top of
recently fallen snow, blowing snow is still the primary concern
for the near term period. Continue to exercise caution if
traveling on roads near open agricultural fields.
Tonight, winds gradually begin to relax as pressure gradient
eases. Areas of blowing snow begin to dwindle down to patchy
blowing snow. High pressure begins to build in from the west.
Skies mostly to partially cloudy in the north, and clearing out
Downeast. Dropped temperatures down a degree in areas of
clearing. Overnight lows in the low-to-mid teens.
Saturday, weak ridging centers over the region, as a low over
the Great Lakes begins to approach from the west. Skies
partially cloudy, becoming overcast as approaching low begins
to bring in more cloud cover. Daytime highs in the low-to-mid
20s, and low-30s along the coast. Occluding low pressure system
brings a warm front into western portion of Maine by Saturday
evening, along with some cold air advection ahead of the frontal
system. Chance for some snow showers to reach into western
regions, and for some snow showers to develop over the waters.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
High pressure exits across the Maritimes, while an upper level
low approaches, Saturday night. Expect mostly cloudy skies
across the region Saturday night with a slight chance/chance of
light snow or snow showers. The upper low begins to cross the
region Sunday, supporting a developing ocean low well south of
the Gulf of Maine. Mostly cloudy skies along with a chance of snow
showers will accompany the upper low. The upper level low
crosses the region Sunday night. The surface low will intensify
while tracking east of Nova Scotia, with high pressure ridged
across the eastern Great Lakes. Will have a slight
chance/chance of snow showers with the upper low Sunday night.
Current indications are that the majority of the precipitation
with the ocean low should miss the region. However, the
northwest edge of the precipitation shield could possibly clip
Downeast areas with a chance of light snow later Sunday into
Sunday night. High pressure should build across the region
Monday with partly sunny skies north, mostly/partly sunny
Downeast. The pressure gradient between the intensifying
Maritimes low and building high pressure should support gusty
northwest/west winds Monday. Temperatures will be at below
normal levels Sunday/Monday.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
An upper level disturbance approaches Monday night. Expect
partly/mostly cloudy skies along with a slight chance of snow
showers across northern areas, with generally partly cloudy
skies Downeast. The system should cross the region early
Tuesday with a slight chance of early snow showers across
northern areas. Otherwise, generally expect partly cloudy
skies. A cold front could cross the region Wednesday, though
timing differences still exist. Expect mostly cloudy skies along
with a slight chance/chance of snow showers Wednesday. High
pressure will exit across the Maritimes Thursday, while low
pressure approaches from the Great Lakes. Warmer air should be
drawn north across the region in advance of this system, though
the extent of warming is still uncertain. Precipitation types
will be dependent on the northern extent of the warmer air.
Preliminarily, expect a chance of snow or a snow/rain mix
across northern and central areas Thursday with a chance of
mostly rain Downeast. Expect below normal level temperatures
Tuesday. Near normal, to slightly above normal, level
temperatures are expected Wednesday. Slightly above normal level
temperatures are expected Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /08Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
NEAR TERM:
KFVE/KCAR/KPQI/KHUL: Generally MVFR/IFR conditions at northern
terminals, due to light snowfall and blowing/drifting snow
around terminal spaces. Visibility briefly drops down to one
mile, briefly lower, at times in blowing snow conditions. Low
ceilings. Winds from the SW at 10-15 kts. Gusting currently to
25 kts, and expected to increase to around 35 kts this
afternoon. Winds will relax later this evening. Potential for
some LLWS late tonight. Ceilings also begin to rise later
tonight.
KBGR/KBHB: VFR conditions at southern terminals. Winds from the
SW around 10-15 kts, and gusts up to 25 kts, ramping up to
around 35 kt this afternoon. Winds gradually relax later this
evening. Potential for some LLWS tonight.
SHORT TERM:
Saturday night...VFR/MVFR. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots.
Sunday...VFR/MVFR, occasional IFR, with a chance of light snow
or snow showers. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming
northwest/north.
Sunday night...VFR/MVFR with a chance of snow showers. Northwest
winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to around 20 knots.
Monday...VFR. Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts 20 to 25
knots.
Monday night through Tuesday...VFR/MVFR north. A slight chance
of snow showers north Monday night through early Tuesday. VFR
Downeast. Northwest/west winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming
southwest 5 to 10 knots Monday night. Southwest/west winds 10 to
15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots Tuesday.
&&
.MARINE...
NEAR TERM: Gale conditions expected this morning through tonight
for the outer waters, and through this afternoon for the intra-
coastals. Wave heights generally 8-11 ft over the outer waters,
and generally 3-5 ft over the intra-coastals. Winds from the W
this morning into tomorrow. Chance of light freezing spray early
this morning into early afternoon. Potential for some light
snow showers over the waters Saturday evening.
SHORT TERM: Small craft advisory conditions expected Saturday
night/Sunday. Gale conditions Sunday night into Monday. A
chance of rain/snow Saturday night. Snow likely Sunday. A
chance of snow showers Sunday night. Light freezing spray Sunday
night into Monday.
&&
.CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...None.
MARINE...Gale Warning until midnight EST tonight for ANZ050-051.
Gale Warning until 4 PM EST this afternoon for ANZ052.
&&
$$
Near Term...ASB
Short Term...CN
Long Term...CN
Aviation...ASB/CN
Marine...ASB/CN
NWS CAR Office Area Forecast Discussion
