CARIBOU, Maine — The weather was mild Thursday, but a low-pressure system and falling temperatures are expected to bring snow to parts of Maine on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter weather advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Forecasters with the weather service’s Caribou office on Thursday predicted that southern Penobscot County and the entire coast of Maine could see as much as 6 inches of snow.
A low-pressure system developing off the Massachusetts coast is predicted to bring snowfall to coastal communities Thursday night into Friday, according to the weather service.
Snow will begin to fall early Friday morning along the midcoast, increasing in intensity by midmorning before tapering off from west to east late Friday afternoon, forecasters predicted.
Snow may fall at a rate of an inch per hour, resulting in hazardous driving conditions, with visibility of a half mile or less at times. Temperatures, however, are expected to be relatively warm, in the upper 20s and lower 30s.
Meanwhile, forecasters also are keeping an eye on a storm that could bring snow to the area early next week.
The weather service reported Thursday that Portland broke a temperature record for Feb. 4. The previous mark of 50 degrees was set in 1991 and 1960, and the temperature at the Portland Jetport peaked at 54 degrees Thursday.
Bangor wound up breaking a record that was more than 40 years old, as the Queen City’s temperature peaked at 51 degrees, eclipsing the old mark of 49 in 1970.
Given the unusually warm weather, the Maine Warden Service is reminding anglers, snowmobilers and others who like to recreate on Maine’s lakes and ponds in the winter that ice conditions on many waterways throughout the state right now may not be safe to hold themselves or heavy equipment and vehicles.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of checking ice conditions right now,” said Game Warden Col. Joel Wilkinson. “Folks really need to take the time to drill test holes as often as they can and proceed with great caution.”
Game wardens are suggesting that people test the thickness of the ice before venturing out by using a chisel or auger and to continue to assess the safety of the ice as you move out onto the lake or pond. If the ice is not thick enough to hold, turn around and go back to shore or a safe location.
The general guidelines for ice safety are a minimum of 4 inches of solid ice for foot travel and 6 to 8 inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. Because of uneven temperatures and high winds, ice conditions are very unpredictable and it is not advisable to drive vehicles onto the ice.
It is also important to remember that thick ice does not always mean safe ice. The varying weather conditions so far this winter make it possible for ice to be thick, but not strong. Weak, unsafe ice is formed when temperatures rise and break down the ice and the slushy surface then re-freezes. Great caution should also be used near inlets, outlets and springs holes.
For winter safety tips, visit maine.gov/wordpress/insideifw/2014/12/31/ice-safety-tips/.