NWS Gray, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
630
FXUS61 KGYX 050534
AFDGYX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gray ME
1234 AM EST Thu Feb 5 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Two changes to the going forecast. A gale watch has been issued
for all waters Saturday afternoon through Midday Sunday. Also,
an extreme cold weather watch has been issued for the mountains
and also portions of western NH for Saturday night into Sunday.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A weak disturbance will lead to some isolated snow showers early
today, mainly in the mountains. Expect a very gradual cooling trend
through the end of the work week.
2. Some slippery travel possible Friday night into Saturday
with a minor snow event expected to bring a coating to 2 inches.
3. Well below normal temperatures return as the day progresses
Saturday. Bitterly cold temps will combine with gusty winds to
produce dangerous wind chills. An extreme cold watch is in
effect for some zones.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
The next weak shortwave approaches early this morning in the wake of
progressive ridging. Moisture will be even more limited with this
system than the previous one, but there should be enough lift for
some isolated snow showers in the mountains through at least the
first part of the day. By the afternoon, surface high pressure moves
in which should limit the coverage of snow showers later in the day.
Friday should mainly be dry during the day.
Temperatures today will be just a little bit cooler than they were
yesterday with afternoon highs ranging from the low to mid teens
across the north country and western Maine mountains, to the 20s
elsewhere. A few readings in the lower 30s will be possible over
coastal areas. Decent radiational cooling may be possible in some
spots tonight into Friday morning with light winds and weak high
pressure in place. However, guidance is still a bit uncertain
regarding how much cloud cover there will be so that will be
something to watch. At the moment, lows Friday morning are expected
to range from around 10 below zero across portions of northern NH
and northwest/west central Maine, to around zero or a couple of
degrees above south and along the coast. Highs on Friday will
actually be a little bit warmer in the mountains and valleys while
areas south of the mountains will actually be a touch cooler. The
NBM has readings mainly ranging from the upper teens and lower 20s
north, to the mid 20s south.
KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
No significant changes to the light snow forecast for Friday
night and Saturday. WAA out ahead of the next arctic air mass
will aid in the development of light snow Friday night which
will be on and off through Saturday as upper level low pressure
moves overhead. The system will the moisture-starved, so a
coating to two inches should cover it.
KEY MESSAGE 3 DESCRIPTION...
The next and probably most important key message is the return
of arctic air Saturday into Monday. With the passage of the
arctic boundary on Saturday, temperatures will likely steadily
fall during the afternoon as winds increase. This will be
especially true in the interior. Some snow squalls are not out
of the question.
Latest forecast soundings indicate that wind gusts Saturday
afternoon and night have the potential to gust around 35 MPH, if
not briefly slightly more.
Temperatures remain below normal but start to recover Monday, and by
Tuesday guidance favors returning to near or even slightly
above normal temps.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Expect mainly VFR conditions at most sites through Friday
afternoon. The exception will be HIE, with MVFR conditions
likely lingering through at least Friday afternoon.
Outlook:
Friday Night: MVFR to local IFR conditions expected in light
snow Friday night into Saturday.
Saturday: Areas of IFR or lower are possible in snow/snow
showers especially near the coast early on. Second half of day
westerly wind gusts of 25 kt or more possible.
Saturday Night: VFR conditions expected south of the mtns,
local IFR conditions in the mtns. Westerly wind gusts of 30 kt
or more possible.
Sunday: VFR conditions expected. Westerly wind gusts of 30 kt
or more possible.
Sunday Night: VFR conditions expected.
Monday: VFR conditions expected.
&&
.MARINE...
Today through Friday: Offshore winds will shift from
out of the northwest to out of the north tonight, and
eventually to out of the northeast by Friday. Winds will
generally max out in the 10 to 15 knot range. Some light
freezing spray will be possible this morning and again tonight
into Friday morning.
A strong cold front will cross the waters Sat. Westerly winds
will increase sharply and become gusty. Gale force conditions
are possible, and as such a gale watch has been issued for all
zones. Temps will also fall into the single digits and moderate
to heavy freezing spray will develop beginning Sat night. The
gusty winds and at least areas of moderate freezing spray
continue into Mon.
&&
.GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...Extreme Cold Watch from Saturday evening through Sunday
afternoon for MEZ007>009.
NH...Extreme Cold Watch from Saturday evening through Sunday
afternoon for NHZ001>003-005-007.
MARINE...Gale Watch from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon
for ANZ150>154.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Hargrove/Ekster
NWS GYX Office Area Forecast Discussion
