Apex Wx

Overview: A pair of interacting low-pressure systems will bring widespread rain to northern Maine today before a strong frontal passage ushers in a colder and much windier regime Tuesday. An occluding low crossing northern Quebec is providing the stronger dynamic forcing, while a coastal low moving toward Nova Scotia supplies deeper Atlantic moisture. Rain will continue through midday, with a few embedded thunderstorms possible, before becoming more scattered this afternoon. Despite the abundant moisture and high probability of rain, this remains a modest rainfall event, with around 0.25–0.50 inch expected near Fort Kent and little meaningful improvement to ongoing drought conditions.

The more significant impact develops behind the front. Low pressure deepening over the northern Maritimes and strong high pressure advancing toward the eastern Great Lakes will create a tight pressure gradient across Maine. Strengthening cold advection and daytime mixing Tuesday should bring stronger winds aloft to the surface. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 8 AM to 5 PM Tuesday, with west winds around 20–30 mph and frequent gusts of 35–40 mph around Fort Kent; localized gusts approaching 50 mph are possible across northern Maine. Significant leaf loss, scattered downed limbs, and isolated power outages are possible.

Winds diminish Tuesday night as high pressure becomes more influential, allowing temperatures to fall toward freezing with widespread frost by Wednesday morning. Wednesday will provide a brief quieter transition as winds turn southerly and temperatures recover into the middle 50s ahead of increasing clouds and another chance of showers Wednesday night.

Monday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm through midday, followed by scattered showers during the afternoon. Rainfall should total around 0.25–0.50 inch. Temperatures will remain fairly steady, with a high in the middle 50s. South winds around 10 mph will turn west this afternoon, with gusts increasing to around 20–25 mph. Scattered showers remain possible this evening before diminishing overnight. The low will fall into the upper 30s, with west winds gusting around 25–30 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, colder, and very windy. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 8 AM until 5 PM. Highs will reach only the lower 50s. West winds around 20–25 mph will frequently gust 35–40 mph around Fort Kent, while localized gusts approaching 50 mph are possible across northern Maine. Significant leaf loss, scattered downed limbs, difficult driving for high-profile vehicles, and isolated power outages are possible. Winds gradually diminish Tuesday evening. Tuesday night will turn partly cloudy and colder, with widespread frost developing as temperatures fall into the lower 30s.

Wednesday: Widespread morning frost will give way to partly sunny skies. High pressure shifting east will turn winds southerly and allow temperatures to recover into the middle 50s. Clouds increase later in the day as another disturbance approaches. Showers become possible Wednesday night, with a 50% chance of rain and generally less than 0.10 inch expected initially. Overnight lows will be in the lower 40s.

Thursday, October 8 – Sunday, October 11

Overview:  A weak frontal system crossing northern Maine will begin Thursday with scattered showers before drier and cooler air gradually becomes established across the region. Moisture and forcing are limited, so Thursday’s rain should remain light and intermittent rather than becoming a significant rainfall event. Some afternoon improvement is possible behind the front, with temperatures reaching the upper 50s to around 60°F before cooler air begins filtering into the Saint John Valley.

High pressure becomes increasingly influential Friday and Saturday, although northwest flow and lingering low-level moisture may still support an isolated shower. Most of both days should remain dry, with highs gradually cooling from the middle 50s Friday into the lower 50s Saturday. As winds diminish beneath the approaching surface ridge, radiational cooling will become increasingly favorable. Temperatures should fall into the middle 30s Friday night and lower 30s Saturday night, with frost becoming likely in colder valleys and sheltered locations.

Sunday begins chilly and dry before high pressure shifts east and the next system approaches from the west. Developing southerly flow should allow temperatures to recover into the middle 50s, while clouds increase during the afternoon. Moisture begins returning Sunday evening, with a slight chance of rain after about 8 PM. As temperatures fall into the upper 30s overnight, a slight chance of rain and snow develops after 2 AM, marking the beginning of the next weather transition.

Thursday: A 50% chance of showers, particularly during the morning and early afternoon, followed by some improvement later in the day. Rainfall should be light overall. Partly sunny skies may develop behind the front, with a high around 60°F. West winds around 5–10 mph could gust near 20 mph. Thursday night will remain mostly cloudy with a diminishing chance of rain early. Lows fall into the upper 30s.

Friday: Partly sunny and cooler, with only a 20% chance of a shower. Most locations should remain dry. Highs will reach the middle 50s. Friday night will be partly cloudy and chilly, with a slight chance of a shower late and lows in the middle 30s. Patchy frost may develop in colder sheltered locations toward Saturday morning.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, dry, and seasonably cool. There is only a 20% chance of a shower, with most of the day expected to remain precipitation-free. Highs will reach the lower 50s. Saturday night should become partly cloudy with light winds and lows in the lower 30s. Frost is likely in the colder valleys and sheltered locations.

Sunday: Mostly sunny early, becoming partly to mostly cloudy during the afternoon as the next system approaches. Highs should reach the middle 50s. A 20% chance of rain develops Sunday evening, with precipitation becoming possible after about 8 PM. After 2 AM, a slight chance of rain and snow develops as colder air begins filtering into the region. The sky will remain mostly cloudy, with overnight lows in the mid- to upper 30s.

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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