NWS Gray, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
896
FXUS61 KGYX 020520
AFDGYX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gray ME
1220 AM EST Fri Jan 2 2026
.SYNOPSIS...
Temperatures remain below normal through at least Monday. Snow
showers will stay mainly in the mountains, but widespread light
snow is possible Monday night as a clipper moves through. High
temperatures remain in the 20s or colder through the upcoming
weekend. A warmup arrives by midweek next week as a ridge builds
across the Northeast.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Key Messages:
-Below normal temperatures will persist today with sub-zero
windchill values across the interior.
-Other than some upslope light snow showers across the far north and
mountains with perhaps some flurries further south, conditions will
remain mainly dry.
Details:
Cyclonic flow will persist today with westerly winds as low pressure
meanders over the Newfoundland. High temperatures will be below avg
with readings ranging from the single digits across the north with
teens and 20s south. Westerly wind gusts up to 25 mph will result in
below zero windchills across the interior with single digits above
zero elsewhere.
The combination of upslope flow and a moistening vertical column
will likely result in some snow showers across the far north and
mountains. Increasing Froude Numbers may allow for some flurries to
extend south of the mountains.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Key Messages:
-Below average temperatures will persist but with mainly dry
conditions.
Details:
Another cold night is in store tonight with low temperatures into
the single digits either side of zero in most locations but southern
NH may only fall into the lower teens.
A reinforcing shot of cold air will arrive on Saturday behind a cold
front. High temperatures will range from the single digits across
the north with teens and 20s elsewhere. Westerly winds will increase
behind the front with gusts up to around 25 mph, which will make it
feel colder. Skies will be partly cloudy with mainly dry conditions
likely.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Evening Update...
No notable changes to the long term forecast at this time. Cold
air continues with a trough in place across the Northeast into
early next week. The pattern is also mostly dry, but there will
be a few chances for some snow showers. The first one comes
early Sunday as an Arctic front passes through, which brings a
reinforcing shot of cold air for Sunday and Monday. The next
comes Monday night as a warm front lifts through New England.
Warmer temperatures follow this front for mid to late next week.
Full Discussion...
Key Messages:
1) Average to below average temperatures this weekend.
2) Light snow likely Monday night.
3) Possible warming trend mid-next week.
A 500mb trough will engulf the northeast this weekend, allowing for
a colder than normal weekend ahead. Outside of a stray snow shower
in the mountains, mostly dry weather is expected over the weekend. A
weak clipper moves in Monday night, likely bringing some light snow
to the area. A pattern flip occurs afterwards, with mid-level
ridging starting to build in on Tuesday. This will allow for a
warming trend through the mid-week, with highs in the upper 30s
possible by next Wednesday and Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /04Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Short Term...Mainly VFR are expected Fri through Sat., although some
MVFR restrictions cannot be ruled out today at KHIE today due
to developing upslope -SN. W winds will prevail with gusts up to
20-25 kts at times. No LLWS is anticipated.
Long Term...VFR expected over the weekend. Some upslope may
allow for HIE to see some patchy lower restrictions. More
widespread lower restrictions arrive Monday night with light
snow moving in.
&&
.MARINE...
Short Term...Westerly gales will persist outside of the bays through
early this afternoon with gales subsiding to less than 35 kts across
W. Penobscot Bay by this morning and SCAs persisting across Casco
Bay. Seas outside of the bays of 4-7 ft can be expected with 1-4 ft
in the bays. Light to moderate freezing spray is expected through
early this afternoon outside of the bays.
Long Term... Winds shift to northwesterlies, and briefly
strengthen back to SCA thresholds by Sunday night. Winds subside
again as they shift to southwesterlies at 8-12kts by Monday
night. High pressure then builds across the waters by midweek
next week.
&&
.GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...Cold Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Friday for MEZ007>009.
NH...None.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 1 PM EST Friday for ANZ150-152-154.
Freezing Spray Advisory until 1 PM EST Friday for ANZ150>154.
Gale Warning until 7 AM EST Friday for ANZ151.
Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EST Friday for ANZ153.
&&
$$
NEAR TERM...Tubbs
SHORT TERM...Tubbs
LONG TERM...Clair/Palmer
NWS GYX Office Area Forecast Discussion
