Light Snow Overnight. Dangerous Cold Late Week

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Clouds will continue to spread across the region ahead of a weak low pressure system. This low will bring the chance of light snow overnight statewide. There will be a few bands of heavier snow south and east of I-95 through early Tuesday morning. Snowfall accumulations will be light with most locations expecting only a few inches. Just enough to put a coating on the roads and make them smooth. Lows will range from the low teens north to the low 20s along the coast.

Light snowfall spread across the region. Most of the region should expect just a few inches with the highest amounts along the coast. (WABI)

High pressure will begin building in the region on Tuesday. It will bring more sunshine, but as the height builds, the pressure gradient will increase, and winds will increase. Northwest winds will gust to 30 mph at times tomorrow. The breeze factored in with highs in the 20s and low 30s will result in wind chill values that will drop below zero for most of us by midday. This is just a taste of what’s to come later in the week.

Calm conditions with partly cloudy skies are expected for Wednesday and Thursday. Highs on Wednesday will be in the teens and 20s. By Thursday, highs will close in on the freezing point.

An upper trough will begin moving into the region by Thursday evening and will remain until Saturday. This trough will allow a blast of Arctic air to flow into the region, bringing us the potential for sub-zero highs and some of the coldest wind chill values we’ve seen in years. Friday will have highs in the morning that will drop through the rest of the day. Winds will also increase which will send wind chill values below zero.

The REAL cold arrives Friday night and into Saturday. Due to the dangerously cold and even COLD wind chill values, a FIRST WARNING WEATHER DAY has been issued for Saturday. Air temperatures Friday night and early Saturday are expected to range from -15° to -25°.

Bitterly cold temperatures Friday night as only air temperatures will drop into the teens and 20s BELOW zero.(WABI)

Once you factor in northwesterly winds up to 45 mph, WIND CHILL values will range from -40° to -60°. At values, this cold, frostbite burn can occur on exposed skin within 5 minutes. It is extremely important to limit time outside during this time frame.

Dangerous wind chill values are expected Friday night into Saturday. At their coldest, some of these values can be as cold as -50° to -60°. (WABI)

Saturday will see little improvement. Expect mostly sunny skies with highs that will range from the teens below zero to the single digits above zero. Northwest winds are expected to gust up to 45 mph so wind chill values will still be well below zero ranging from -20° to -40°.

Lots of sunshine Saturday with highs that will be above and below zero. It will be windy which will send windchill values WELL below zero.(WABI)

The cold will retreat northward by Sunday as highs return to the 20s and 30s. Expect a light breeze that could keep wind chill values in the single digits above and below zero. By Sunday afternoon, light snow will spread across the region and continue into early Monday.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy skies with light snow showers. Lows in the teens and 20s with a north wind at 5-10 mph.

TUESDAY: Increasing sunshine with highs in the 20s and low 30s. Windy northwest with gusts up to 30 mph possible. Wind chill values will drop below zero.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy skies with highs in the teens and 20s.

THURSDAY: Mixture of sun and clouds. Highs in the 20s and 30s.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Falling temperatures with morning highs in the teens and 20s. Winds will send wind chills below zero. Dangerously cold temperatures and even colder wind chill values overnight.

SATURDAY: FIRST WARNING DAY. Mostly sunny with freezing highs ranging from the teens below zero to the single digits above zero. NW wind gusts up to 45 mph will push wind chill values as cold as -60°! Freezing will probably be in less than 5 minutes.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with snow showers in the afternoon. Highs in the 20s and 30s.