Apex Wx

Overview: A deepening low over the northern Maritimes and high pressure building toward the eastern Great Lakes will maintain a tight pressure gradient across Maine Tuesday. Strong cold advection and daytime mixing will bring powerful west winds to the surface, with frequent gusts of 35–40 mph around Fort Kent and locally 40–50 mph across exposed and higher terrain. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 5 PM. Temperatures will struggle into the lower 50s, while significant leaf loss and isolated power outages remain possible.

Winds diminish rapidly Tuesday evening as high pressure becomes more influential. Clearing skies and lighter winds will favor strong radiational cooling, with temperatures falling into the lower to middle 30s and widespread frost developing by Wednesday morning.

High pressure shifts east Wednesday as southerly flow develops ahead of another disturbance approaching from Quebec. Clouds increase through the day, with showers developing during the afternoon and continuing Wednesday night. The associated front crosses northern Maine Thursday, bringing a greater likelihood of showers and a modest rainfall event, generally around 0.10–0.25 inch. Temperatures moderate into the upper 50s to around 60°F before winds turn west and showers diminish Thursday evening.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny, colder, and very windy, with an isolated morning shower possible. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 8 AM to 5 PM. Highs will reach the lower 50s. West winds around 15–25 mph will frequently gust 35–40 mph around Fort Kent, with locally stronger gusts possible across northern Aroostook. Significant leaf loss and isolated power outages remain possible. Winds diminish Tuesday evening, followed by partly cloudy skies and widespread frost overnight. Lows fall into the lower 30s.

Wednesday: Widespread morning frost will give way to increasing clouds. Highs will reach the lower 50s, with light southwest winds becoming south around 5–10 mph. A 40% chance of showers develops mainly during the afternoon. Wednesday night will remain mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers, while southerly flow keeps temperatures considerably milder, with lows in the lower to middle 40s.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy and milder with showers becoming likely, especially during the afternoon. The chance of rain is around 70%, with approximately 0.10–0.25 inch possible. Highs should reach the upper 50s to around 60°F, with southwest winds around 5–10 mph. Showers diminish during the evening as winds turn west. Thursday night remains mostly cloudy with lows in the mid- to upper 30s.

Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12

Overview:  Cool west to northwest flow will remain across northern Maine Friday behind the departing frontal system. A weak disturbance and lingering low-level moisture may produce an isolated afternoon or evening shower, but most of the day should remain dry. High pressure then builds into the region Friday night and Saturday, bringing a cooler and increasingly dry Canadian air mass. Highs will reach only the lower 50s Saturday, followed by favorable radiational cooling Saturday night as winds become light. Temperatures should fall around freezing to the lower 30s, with frost likely across the Saint John Valley.

High pressure shifts east Sunday, allowing southerly return flow to develop. After a chilly start, temperatures should rebound into the lower 60s, making Sunday the mildest day of the period. Clouds increase Sunday night as moisture begins returning ahead of the next system, with a slight chance of rain.

The approaching frontal system brings increasingly unsettled conditions Monday. Rain chances rise to around 30%, although timing and coverage remain uncertain at this range. Temperatures should reach the upper 50s to around 60°F before rain chances continue Monday night under mostly cloudy skies, with lows falling into the mid- to upper 30s.

Friday: Partly sunny and seasonably cool, with a slight chance of rain developing late in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is around 20%, with little rainfall expected. Highs will reach the middle 50s. West winds around 8–13 mph may gust near 20–25 mph. Friday night will become partly cloudy after a slight chance of evening rain, with lows in the lower to middle 30s.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, dry, and cooler under building high pressure. Highs will reach the lower 50s. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with light winds and temperatures falling around freezing to the lower 30s. Frost is likely, particularly in sheltered portions of the Valley.

Sunday: Partly sunny and noticeably milder as southerly return flow develops. Highs should rebound into the lower 60s, making Sunday the mildest day of the period. Clouds increase Sunday night as the next system approaches, with a 20% chance of rain. Overnight lows will be in the lower to middle 40s.

Monday: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain as the next frontal system approaches northern Maine. Highs should reach the upper 50s to around 60°F. Rain chances continue Monday night under mostly cloudy skies, with a 30% chance of precipitation and an overnight low in the mid- to upper 30s. Confidence in the timing and coverage of rainfall remains lower at this range.

Weather Notice

Apex Wx forecasts are based on available observations, computer model guidance, and other meteorological data. Conditions and forecast guidance can change, and information displayed here may not reflect the latest official forecast or warning information. Always visit NWS Caribou for the latest official forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories for northern Maine.

Apex Wx is a private weather information service unaffiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service and operated by Joseph Becker. Dr. Becker earned a Certificate in Weather Forecasting from Penn State University and is a trained NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter.

Credits

• Sun and Moon data from the U.S. Naval Observatory, with additional astronomical information from timeanddate.com.
• NOAA warning banner provided by WillyWeather.com.
• Through December 2026, additional archived Apex Wx weather data are available through the University of Utah's MesoWest.
• Current and archived Apex Wx weather data are available through Synoptic Data, the successor to MesoWest.
• Apex Wx logo by Joanna Becker © 2016. Visit Bushi and Brush Arts Dojo.

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