


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Caribou, ME
Issued by NWS Caribou, ME
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372 FXUS61 KCAR 172145 AFDCAR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Caribou ME 545 PM EDT Tue Jun 17 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure will track northwest of the area Wednesday and again Thursday. A cold front will cross the area Thursday night into Friday. A disturbance will cross the region Saturday. High pressure will build across the region Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... A few weak showers have developed over northern Aroostook in an area of weak instability. Satellite imagery shows they have not gained great vertical extent and will likely remain weak in nature, eventually tapering off in the evening as the sun sets and the atmosphere stabilizes. Meanwhile, showers ahead of an approaching warm front will begin to develop this evening in the southwest and gradually spread northeastward. Precipitation will not be heavy, but it will be enough to make things damp as humidity rises across the area. Expect most of the precipitation to fall over the Downeast region. Light southerly winds, a steep inversion, and ample moisture should lead to the development of fog over the waters and inland. Some locally dense fog cannot be ruled out. A cold front approaches the region Wednesday and stalls out before reaching Maine. Ample moisture and modest instability ahead of the front should lead to the development of scattered thunderstorms over the north with a few showers possible elsewhere. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s in the north and potentially 80 in localized areas where there are enough breaks in the clouds. Farther south and east, the marine layer is expected to persist resulting in cloudier conditions and temperatures only in the 60s. Some areas right along the coast and over the waters may see fog persist throughout much of the day. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Expect weakening showers/thunderstorms Wednesday night in advance of an approaching boundary. Low pressure will approach later Thursday, though the track of the low is uncertain. A track northwest of Maine would draw a cold front toward the region later Thursday with showers/thunderstorms developing in advance of the front. Dependent on the timing of the front, strong thunderstorms could reach northwest areas later Thursday. A more southerly track would limit the potential for stronger thunderstorms, though could increase a heavy rain threat particularly across northern and central portions of the forecast area. The more northerly track would draw the cold front across much of the region Thursday night with showers/thunderstorms in advance of the front. The more southerly track could take low pressure across northern portions of the forecast area with a steadier rain along with embedded convection along with possibly heavy rain. Warm humid air across the colder waters of the Gulf of Maine should also allow for areas of fog Wednesday night into Thursday night, which could move inland overnight. Uncertainty persists Friday regarding whether the cold front clears the region early, or whether the front slows while low pressure tracks along the front. A more progressive frontal passage would allow showers to end during the morning. A slower moving front with low pressure could keep rain or showers across the region through Friday. Slightly above normal level temperatures are expected Thursday. Temperatures Friday will be dependent on which scenario eventually occurs. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... Any lingering showers will end Friday night. A possible upper level disturbance/surface trof could cross the region Saturday with a chance of showers, possibly a thunderstorm. Upper level ridging will build Sunday through early next week with warming temperatures and increasing dewpoints. Difficult to time convective complexes moving over the top of the upper ridge could impact the region Sunday through early next week. Diurnal shower/thunderstorm chances should also increase with the heat and humidity. Near normal level temperatures are expected Saturday. Temperatures will then warm to above normal levels Sunday through Tuesday. && .AVIATION /21Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... NEAR TERM: VFR conditions this afternoon will deteriorate as clouds move in from the southwest and lower to MVFR and eventually IFR this evening and overnight, first beginning at southern terminals and spreading to northern terminals. Showers expected and areas of fog possible tonight for southern terminals with just few showers for northern terminals. Northern terminals will likely remain clear of fog aside from possibly at HUL. Fog should lift by mid-morning Wednesday but clouds are expected to remain low at IFR conditions through 18z at southern terminals. Northern terminals should see an improvement to MVFR as well as a chance for scattered thunderstorms and showers developing in the afternoon. SHORT TERM: Wednesday night...VFR/MVFR with decreasing shower/thunderstorm chances. Variable conditions with any fog. South/southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Thursday...Variable conditions with any fog early. Otherwise, VFR/MVFR, occasional IFR, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. South/southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Thursday night...Variable conditions with any fog or showers/thunderstorms. Otherwise, generally VFR/MVFR, occasional IFR. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots. Friday through Friday night. Uncertainty dependent on the timing of a cold front and track of low pressure. Saturday...VFR/MVFR. A chance of showers, possibly an afternoon thunderstorm. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots. Saturday night through Sunday...VFR/MVFR, occasional IFR, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Variable winds 5 to 10 knots. && .MARINE... NEAR TERM: Winds and seas are expected to remain below advisory levels for the near term. Seas 2 to 3 ft with south winds 5 to 15 kts. Marine fog expected to develop tonight and may persist through Thursday, with reductions in visibility to near 1/2 mile possible. SHORT TERM: Winds/seas below small craft advisory levels Wednesday night through Friday. Areas of fog Wednesday night into Thursday night, with patchy fog Friday. A slight chance of showers Wednesday night and Thursday. A chance/slight chance of showers Thursday night into Friday. && .CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. MARINE...None. && $$ Near Term...Melanson Short Term...Norcross Long Term...Norcross Aviation...Melanson/Norcross Marine...Melanson/Norcross