Friday’s storm is expected to batter the state with strong winds and heavy rain.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the coast from Portland to Eastport and inland to Greater Bangor. That order remains in effect from 1 to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, a wind advisory is in place for the remainder of the state from 3 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Winds are expected to blow at a sustained 20 to 35 mph across the coast and immediate interior and blow 15 to 25 mph farther to the north.
Those winds will reach maximum speeds of 55 to 60 mph in Greater Bangor, Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island, while they will gust up to 50 to 55 mph from Machias to Eastport, according to the weather service station in Caribou.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” a weather service advisory reads.
Those winds will lessen somewhat to the north, with gusts expected to top out at 40 to 45 mph in Houlton, 45 to 50 mph in Presque Isle and Caribou, and 35 to 40 mph in Fort Kent.
Winds will peak Down East on Friday evening and Saturday morning in the north.
Friday’s storm will be accompanied by heavy rain, with up to an inch forecast for a large swath of the state, including from Greater Bangor to Bar Harbor to Eastport.
Again, northern Maine will see lighter rainfall, with about a half inch to eight-tenths of an inch forecast to fall from Houlton to Fort Kent.
The weather service office in Caribou warned that Friday’s rain and snowmelt is expected to freeze overnight, creating slick conditions.
Friday’s highs in the 50s are expected to fall precipitously overnight. For example, Greater Bangor will see the mercury fall from 53 degrees about 6 p.m. Friday to 28 degrees by 4 a.m. Saturday, according to the weather service.