NWS Gray, Maine Area Forecast Discussion
656
FXUS61 KGYX 151321
AFDGYX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gray ME
821 AM EST Thu Jan 15 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Significant changes to the forecast have not been made with the
inclusion of the 01z NBM this morning as the forecast largely
remains on track.
Update: Extended the Dense Fog Advisory through 10am this
morning, but removed in locations (southern NH, parts of
Midcoast ME) where improvement has been observed. A line of
showers moving northeast should aid in improving visibility as
the morning progresses. Kept mention of fog through the day for
much of southern ME.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. The mild spell will abruptly come to an end tonight with the
passage of a sharp cold front. Temperatures will go from around
40 degrees around sunset today to wind chill values in the
single numbers above and below zero by sunrise Friday on
blustery northwesterly winds.
2. Snow lifts north through the forecast area Saturday with
light accumulations possible from the coast to the mountains.
Locations with cooler daytime temperatures, like the foothills
and mountains, may experience more slick spots than the coast.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
The warm-ish weather is coming to an end abruptly tonight as a
sharp cold front moves across the region. The early morning
Friday will greet folks with wind gusts of 25 to 30 MPH coupled
with wind chills between -10 and +10F depending on location and
elevation in the forecast area. But, it will be dry. Wind and
rapidly lowering dewpoints should largely dry out roads by the
Friday morning commute but there still could be some icy spots.
The day on Friday will feature diminishing winds as the day
progresses but much colder temperatures as compared to the last
few days, with highs in the teens in the mountains and 20s
elsewhere.
In the meantime, today, we will still be east of the cold front
so one more warm day is expected. A well developed mid level dry
slot will overspread the forecast area from south to north this
morning which will effectively shut off any steady precipitation
for much of the day. Areas of fog and drizzle can be expected
with plenty of clouds.
KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
A weak short wave is expected to approach the region by
Saturday morning, and will allow for a quick inch or two of snow
to fall across NH and Maine in the afternoon. Some slick travel
may be possible Saturday afternoon, especially on secondary
roads across the interior. Temperatures look to make it up into
the mid to upper 30s. By early next week, cold air gradually
works back into the area.
&&
.AVIATION /13Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Through 12z Friday...Light rain and fog continue early this
morning resulting in widespread IFR to LIFR conditions. Low cigs
likely continue IFR to MVFR from 12Z to 18Z today with
conditions improving south to north this afternoon. The
exception will be KHIE where low cigs and SHRA changing to SHSN
will likely continue at least MVFR through this evening.
For tonight, mainly VFR with west winds gusting 25 to 30 kts.
KHIE may continue to see MVFR cigs with 30 percent chances for
snow showers.
Outlook:
Friday and Friday Night: VFR. No sig wx. W winds
gusting around 20 kts during the day.
Saturday: Becoming MVFR with light SN arriving south to north.
SN tapers off in the evening. Saturday Night: MVFR with some IFR
cigs.
Sunday: VFR. No sig wx.
Sunday Night and Monday: Uncertainty regarding passing low
pressure could bring SN with vis restrictions or only some
lowered cigs.
Tuesday: VFR. No sig wx.
&&
.MARINE...
Through Friday... Seas will continue a downward trend through
this this morning. Conditions will remain below SCA thresholds
through today. A frontal system crosses the waters this evening
bringing the potential for westerly Gales through Friday.
Southwesterly gales slacken to SCA levels by Friday evening.
Wave heights remain at 5 to 8 ft through Saturday, lowering to
3 to 5 ft waves by Saturday night. A potential low pressure
system may to track into the Gulf of Maine during the Sunday
night/Monday time period...but confidence is low on the exact
track.
&&
.GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM EST this morning for MEZ014-
018>025-028.
NH...None.
MARINE...Gale Warning from 3 AM to 4 PM EST Friday for ANZ150-152-154.
Small Craft Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM EST Friday
for ANZ151-153.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Cornwell/Ekster/Palmer
NWS GYX Office Area Forecast Discussion
