Extremely cold temperatures move into Maine this evening, bringing wind chills that could dip as low as negative 40 degrees.
As of 2 p.m. Friday, forecasters with the Caribou office of the National Weather Service expected the Bangor region to feel wind chills in the negative 20s early Saturday morning. Wind chill temperatures drop to near the negative 30s through northern Penobscot County and eastern Aroostook County. The weather service issued an extreme cold warning for regions north of Dover-Foxcroft and Topsfield, and for the majority of western Maine.
Regions to the west of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway can expect to see wind chills drop to nearly negative 40 degrees, although that is not the coldest wind chill expected Tuesday. According to the NWS, a wind chill of negative 56 has been projected for Katahdin. Surrounding regions may feel some extreme cold, but the Millinocket region should expect wind chills in the negative mid-30s.
Arctic air moving through the region increases the chance for intermittent snow showers and isolated snow squalls throughout central, eastern and northern Maine. Precipitation is most likely through Friday afternoon and into the evening.
Cold temperatures won’t let up anytime soon, with temperatures north and east of Bangor hovering in the mid to low teens through Sunday. Forecasters also expect lower than typical daytime temperatures through the end of the month.
Alongside the low temperatures, Maine could get battered by a significant storm starting Sunday evening and persisting through to Monday night. The storm will likely bring more snow to eastern Maine, and a winter storm watch has been issued for regions south of Houlton, Patten and Greenville to the coast.
Looking to southern Maine, the region will see similarly cold wind chills through Friday evening and Saturday morning. Western Maine, especially the northern regions of Somerset County, and mountain regions can expect overnight wind chills to drop to the near negative 40 degrees.
Snowfall from the storm moving in is expected to be heaviest in the southern part of the forecast area, according to forecasters with the Gray office of the NWS.
If you plan to be outside anytime in the near future, make sure to dress appropriately to avoid serious injury from the cold, and don’t forget your furry friends.
If you do use alternate or supplementary heat sources, such as electric or propane space heaters or a generator, make sure that you have ample ventilation, have checked that the device has not been damaged and that you do not operate it near flammable objects or near objects that may melt.
Those who do not have permanent housing and others in need can find information on the nearest warming center at the Maine Emergency Management website.
Extreme cold may impact powerlines; in the event of a power outage, make sure to do what you can to keep your home and family warm and safe. Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for tips on staying warm and other resources for how to handle a power outage.