NWS Gray, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
445
FXUS61 KGYX 191831
AFDGYX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gray ME
131 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Have issued winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories
for Friday and Friday night given increasing confidence in a
4-8" snowfall event.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1.Confidence continues to increase for a plowable snowstorm
Friday afternoon and Friday night for most of the area. While
uncertainty remains on the exact onset timing and location of
heaviest amounts...much of the area away from our far northern
zones will have reduced visibilities and snow covered roads by
late Friday and through the morning hours Saturday.
2.Confidence is increasing that a strong coastal low will track
far enough to the south and east to keep highest precipitation
totals offshore Sunday night into Monday...but still may be
close enough to bring a limited threat of light snow and gusty
winds along the coast.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
Early afternoon water vapor imagery shows upper low spinning near
Duluth, Minnesota...with our next weather maker now across the mid
Mississippi Valley /surface low and associated mid level shortwave/
poised to lift north and east. On the larger scale...primary surface
low strengthens and pushes into the Great Lakes by late Friday with
a secondary low developing south of southern New England Friday
night and scooting east overnight. The result for our area is a
band of isentropic ascent along the 290-300K surfaces pushing
into the area Friday afternoon and evening with a ~6 hour period
of the heaviest precipitation rates before the band pulls north
and east.
Pattern recognition suggests a quick-hitting but heavy snowfall
event with 4-8" of snow largely falling in a 021-024>026-033.
Winter Storm Warning from noon Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday for
MEZ018.
Winter Weather Advisory from noon Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday
for MEZ023.
NH...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday
for NHZ002>004.
Winter Storm Warning from noon Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday for
NHZ005>011-015.
Winter Weather Advisory from noon Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday
for NHZ012>014.
MARINE...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Arnott/Combs
NWS GYX Office Area Forecast Discussion
