Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Caribou, ME

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307 FXUS61 KCAR 300735 AFDCAR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Caribou ME 335 AM EDT Thu May 30 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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An upper level trough across the region will move east of the area on Friday. High pressure builds in from the west on Saturday and drifts overhead Sunday and remains across the area on Monday.
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&& .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
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The 500mb long wave trof remains over the Northeast today with a piece of shortwave energy rounding the base. This will allow for weak surface convergence and a weak sfc low to track over the Gulf of Maine today with some precipitation. General trend in the hi-res guidance and operational globals keeps much of the shower activity confined to the Downeast coast and out over the Gulf of Maine waters. Will show isolated to scattered showers today mainly along and south of the Route 9 corridor between Bangor and Calais today with Bangor and Calais likely remaining dry. There is some high and mid level clouds with this today that will mainly be confined to the southern 1/3-1/2 of the CWA with just a few clouds today across the north. Light N-NW winds today generally less than 10mph will keep things under the cool pool aloft at seasonable levels. Highs today top out in the low to mid 60s across the north, upper 60s to low 70s on the Downslope S-SE side of the Longfellow Mtns into the Greater Bangor area then down to the Downeast coast. Tonight, the weak low tracks into Nova Scotia and brings an end to the showers this evening. The coldest air of the 500mb trof will rotate into Eastern and Northern Maine tonight. Surface high pressure nearing 1025mb over the Great Lakes begins its drift eastward. Winds will decouple tonight across much of the CWA and with drying air expect skies to turn mostly clear. Temperatures across the North Woods in places along and west of Route 11 may have to contend with patchy to areas of frost. A sharp very low inversion will likely form at around 500-1000ft AGL and beneath this inversion may allow for areas to dip into the 33-36F range. There is some uncertainty on how the inversion sets up given much of the modeled soundings aren`t handling this situation in a typical sense we do see this time of year with dry/cool airmass. Given this have opted to paint patchy to areas of frost in areas along and west of Route 11 in Aroostook, Penobscot and Piscataquis County north of Katahdin. Additionally, patchy to areas of frost in the St. John Valley from Hamlin westward and cannot rule out some patchy frost in the Aroostook River valley near Masardis and Ashland. Elsewhere, will generally be in the 40-45F range tonight with upper 40s along the Downeast coast.
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&& .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
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A nice stretch of weather heading into the upcoming weekend. On Friday morning a mid level trough axis will extend across western New Brunswick, and the trough will slowly move east during the day. At the surface, there will be north to northwest flow with high pressure in the Great Lakes and low pressure east of the Maritimes. There will likely be enough cold air and moisture aloft that after a bright start to the day fair weather cumulus will develop, especially across the north, but also in the eastern zones closest to the departing mid level trough. Temperatures will be seasonable for the end of May. The ridge axis builds closer to the area Friday night with the sky becoming clear and the wind turning light and even calm in many valleys. Lows will likely drop into the 30s in the normally colder northern valleys where patchy frost will be possible. Saturday looks bright and sunny with comfortably low humidity continuing, and lighter wind with the surface high over the region. Highs will be several degrees warmer than Friday and should reach the low to mid 70s inland. The weak surface flow will promote the formation of a sea breeze keeping temperatures much cooler along the coast.
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&& .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
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The quiet stretch of weather to continue with dry and warmer weather with increasing humidity next week, although dew points are not likely to rise above the 50s, so nothing too extreme. A block looks to develop with low pressure in the western Atlantic and low pressure moving across Canada with lows east of James Bay and in the Great Lakes toward the middle of next week. The FA remains under riding and temperatures will moderate to above average levels, and it likely remains dry until the ridge may eventually break down later in the week and shower chances increase. Highs could potentially get into the lower 80s for many inland areas by early next week, but much cooler along the coast where night time low clouds and fog could be possible with the more humid air mass across the region. There is also some indications that a back-door cold front could try to push in from the maritimes with cooler air around Tuesday, but confidence remains low.
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&& .AVIATION /07Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
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NEAR TERM: VFR conditions today into tonight. BCFG/BR possible at some northern terms this AM before sunrise. VCSH/-SHRA possible today at BHB. SCT high cigs today north, BKN mid level cigs today south. N-NW winds 5-10kts today except E winds at 5-10kt for BHB. Tonight winds light and variable generally less than 10kt. SHORT TERM: VFR expected Friday through Monday. There is a very low chance and low confidence in late night patchy fog Friday night, mainly at KHUL and KPQI. Also low confidence on IFR/MVFR late Sunday night/early Monday morning at KBHB if lower clouds and fog develop in the Gulf of Maine and try to move onshore. Generally light wind through the period, but a seabreeze will bring a SSW wind 10 to 15 knots each afternoon at KBHB.
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&& .MARINE...
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NEAR TERM: Winds/seas remain below SCA conditions through tonight. E-NE winds today less than 10kt with seas 2-3ft with a 7-8sec period. Tonight winds shift N 5-15kt and seas subside to 1-2ft with a period of 7 seconds. Sea surface temperatures in the mid to upper 40s extend from the Downeast coast out 25nm and east to the Hague Line including Passamaquoddy Bay. SHORT TERM: The wind and seas will remain below small craft advisory levels through Monday. Fog will become possible on the waters by early next week as a more humid air mass moves over the cold waters.
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&& .CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. MARINE...None. && $$ Near Term...Sinko Short Term...CB Long Term...CB Aviation...Sinko/CB Marine...Sinko/CB