Presque Isle, Maine 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

030
FXUS61 KCAR 241512
AFDCAR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Caribou ME
1012 AM EST Sat Jan 24 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
-Issued a cold weather advisory valid now through 10AM Sunday
 for all areas including and north of southern Piscataquis,
 central Penobscot, and northern Washington counties.

-Lowered temps in some of northern valleys tonight with
 potential that the air decouples in these valleys.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) A frigid air mass combined with gusty winds will result in
dangerously cold wind chills through the weekend.

2) Continued confidence in a significant winter storm to impact
the area Sunday night through Monday night, with the higher
snow totals over southern portions of the area.

3) Colder than average temperatures this upcoming week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
.KEY MESSAGE 1...A frigid air mass combined with gusty winds will
result in dangerously cold wind chills through the weekend.

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
Bitterly cold Arctic air has spread across the region and will
remain over the area through the weekend. High temperatures today
will range from the single digits below zero north to the single
digits above zero Downeast and highs Sunday will range from near
zero over the far north to the mid teens along the coast. High
pressure pushing into the Great Lakes will combine with low pressure
across the Northern Maritimes to bring gusty northwesterly winds
today. This will combine with the bitter cold air to bring wind
chills down to the 30s below north and 20s below Downeast today. The
extreme cold will carry a risk of hypothermia and frost bite,
especially today when the winds will be the strongest. Anyone going
outside is advised to dress in many layers and wear a hat that
covers the face and neck. Tonight will be bitter cold, and with
a diminishing wind and clear sky, some of the northern valleys
may turn out colder than surrounding areas. Winds will ease off
a bit on Sunday but the bitter cold air will remain in place.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Continued confidence in a significant winter
storm to impact the area Sunday night through Monday night, with
the higher snow totals over southern portions of the area.

KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
Models begin to lock in on the weekend low pressure system
moving through the mid-Atlantic. Northerly trend with models
continues to bring the low central over the maritimes, east of
Cape Cod. From here, low pressure is expected to move northeast,
closer to Nova Scotia. The exact track will become more fine
tuned the closer we get to the start time of the system, as any
wobble east or west of this track could impact snow totals. High
pressure continues to linger to the north of Maine in Canada,
which ends up resulting a NORLUN looking set up, with an
inverted surface trough residing just to our south. Maine will
also be under the left exit region of an upper level jet,
resulting in possible upper-level divergence to further support
periods of heavier snowfall.

With low pressure seeming to move a little slower during the day
Monday, felt comfortable to increase moisture, especially near
the coast and over waters. Heaviest snowfall is expected to
fall Sunday night into Monday afternoon. Showers expected to
begin to tapper down Monday night into Tuesday morning. Winter
Storm Watch still in effect for Central Highlands and Downeast
Maine. There is increasing confidence in significant snow totals
to come from this system, which would greatly impact travel
during this time frame. Cold arctic air helps to keep snow
ratios generally around 20:1, for light and fluffy snow
throughout northern and eastern Maine. Currently, looking at a
potential for 14-17 inches along the Downeast coast, and 10-14
inches for interior Downeast. Central Highlands and southern
Aroostook could see totals around 7-11 inches of snow. North
Woods, St. John Valley, and northeastern Aroostook staying
around 2-5 inches. These snow totals are going to heavily
depends on storm track however, so please continue to monitor
the forecast for updates as we track this storm. Expect
significant travel disruptions, especially Downeast. Gusty winds
and high snow ratios could also cause some blowing snow
concerns Downeast, which could reduce visibility.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Colder than average temperatures this upcoming
week.

KEY MESSAGE 3 DESCRIPTION...
Relatively cold temperatures will continue throughout the
upcoming week, with highs generally in the low-to-mid teens in
the north, and upper-teens Downeast. Overnight lows generally in
the single digits, or a few degrees below zero in all regions.
Potential for some cold wind chills Tuesday night, of -20 in the
north and -15 to -10 Downeast. Could be another snow system
moving into Maine that would impact the CWA by the end of the
week, but model agreement is low. Continue to monitor for
updates.

&&

.AVIATION /15Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Today...VFR all sites with a small chance for the localized
exception of some light snow showers over the north, mainly this
morning and midday. NW wind 10 to 15 kt gusting to 25 kt.

Tonight...VFR all sites. W wind 5 to 10 kt gusting to 15 kt. Some
WNW wind shear at 2K ft.

Sunday...VFR all sites. W to NW wind 5 kt gusting to 10 kt.

Sunday Night through Monday Night...Deteriorating to IFR or
worse, predominantly for southern terminals, from Sunday night
to Monday morning, due to snow. Conditions improve back to
MVFR/VFR early Tuesday morning. Potential for periods of
blowing snow by KBHB. Winds NE 10-15 kts, switching to the NW
late Monday night.

Tuesday through Wednesday...MVFR/VFR with W/NW winds 5-15 kts,
stronger during the daytime hours.

&&

.MARINE...
A gale warning and a heavy freezing spray warning will be up through
midday today. The combination of bitter cold air and strong gusty
winds will cause spray to quickly freeze on vessels resulting in a
rapid dangerous accretion of ice. This can destabilize and weigh down
craft possibly leading to capsize. The winds will gradually diminish
from this afternoon through Sunday but bitter cold air will remain
over the waters. Seas will be up to 7 ft today, subsiding to 4
ft tonight and 2 ft on Sunday.

Winds expected to ramp up to Gale conditions Monday through
Tuesday, with outer water seas reaching up to 9-12 ft. Light
freezing spray Sunday night, becoming moderate freezing spray
on Tuesday. Winds from the east Sunday night, gradually shifting
to the northwest by Tuesday. Chance for heavy snow Sunday night
through Tuesday morning.

&&

.CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...Cold Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Sunday for MEZ001>006-
     010-011-031-032.
     Winter Storm Watch from Sunday evening through late Monday
     night for MEZ005-006-010-011-015>017-029>032.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for ANZ050-051.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for
     ANZ050>052.
     Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for ANZ052.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...MB/ASB/SM
AVIATION...MB/ASB
MARINE...MB/ASB