Apex Wx

Fort Kent & the Saint John Valley, Maine
Weather Information

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A brief period of upper-level ridging and surface high pressure will bring generally quiet weather to northern Maine Thursday before the pattern becomes more progressive. Southerly flow will strengthen ahead of a large upper-level trough approaching from central Canada, drawing warmer and increasingly humid air northward into the Saint John Valley. A cold front associated with this system will cross the region Friday, followed by cooler and drier westerly flow for much of the weekend.

Thursday will be mostly sunny and dry as high pressure remains influential across the region. Temperatures will reach the upper 70s, with initially calm winds becoming southerly at 5 to 10 mph during the morning. Clouds will increase Thursday night as moisture begins to deepen ahead of the approaching trough and cold front. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will become possible, with overnight lows falling into the upper 50s.

Friday will provide the principal weather concern of the period as the stronger upper-level trough and associated cold front move across northern Maine. Showers and thunderstorms will become increasingly widespread, particularly during the afternoon, with locally strong thunderstorms possible. Gusty winds will be the primary concern with any stronger storms, although small hail may also occur. Temperatures will reach the mid-70s before the front moves through. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm will remain likely Friday evening before gradually becoming more scattered overnight. Lows will fall into the lower to mid-50s as cooler and drier air begins arriving behind the front.

Saturday will feature a marked improvement as high pressure builds in from the Great Lakes and the frontal system moves east with cooler, less humid westerly flow spreading across the Saint John Valley. Mostly sunny skies are expected, with highs in the lower 70s. Saturday night will be partly cloudy and seasonably cool, with lows around 50.

High pressure slides east Sunday, which should remain largely dry and pleasant under continued relatively cool flow, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 70s. Clouds will increase Sunday night as the next disturbance approaches, bringing a chance of showers after evening. Overnight lows will settle into the lower 50s.
Climate Prediction Center outlooks favor near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation across northern Maine. A persistent upper-level trough over the Great Lakes and Northeast should maintain a changeable pattern, with occasional frontal passages bringing opportunities for showers followed by brief periods of cooler Canadian air. Some guidance suggests the trough may strengthen around midweek, increasing the potential for below-normal temperatures at times. Normal temperatures around Fort Kent during this period are generally in the lower 70s for daytime highs and upper 40s for overnight lows.