![National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/build/images/header/noaa.d87e0251.png)
![National Weather Service](/build/images/header/nws.4e6585d8.png)
![United States Department of Commerce](/build/images/header/doc.b38ba91a.png)
Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Portland, ME
Issued by NWS Portland, ME
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
741 FXUS61 KGYX 270230 AFDGYX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 1030 PM EDT Fri Jul 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure will bring drier air along with warm temperatures this weekend. Areas of smoke aloft may dim the sun at times. Low pressure may approach the Gulf of Maine early next week, with unsettled weather moving into the region mid week. Temperatures remain warm through the period, with increasing humidity next week. && .NEAR TERM /TONIGHT/... 1030 PM Update...Skies have cleared, outside of the higher terrain, and winds are pretty much calm at this hour. Made minor adjustments to sky cover and dewpoints to align with observed trends. Lowered temperatures a bit as locations will likely cool quite efficiently overnight. This resulted in low temperatures coming down a degree or two across the area. 630 PM Update...Nothing much to report this evening other than a band of wildfire smoke apparent on visible satellite. Winds calming tonight should keep this from mixing to the surface levels, but will allow it to stagnate in the lower levels of the atmosphere. This can be seen on many higher summit webcams across the area. Just made minor updates to temperatures and dewpoints based on observed trends, and will keep a close eye on temperature trends as skies clear and winds calm heading into tonight. Previous Discussion... Breezy conditions today will last into the early evening as base of trough passes overhead. Other than scattered cu this afternoon, just a few isolated showers will be possible across the north and mountains. The winds and deep mixing have done a good job at keeping the surface fairly dry through the day. A little RH recovery expected overnight as temps cool. These should drop well once winds go calm, resulting in some lows into the lower 50s across the northern valleys and mid to upper 50s elsewhere. Some fog will be possible late, but the dry air should keep this to river valleys which have a bit more moisture. While some smoke was visible aloft earlier today, there is additional smoke that may move into and linger in the region for the weekend. Some indications that light concentrations make it into the lower levels this evening, which may be apparent on summits of the higher elevations. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... Ridging builds in for Saturday with weaker flow and temperatures a few degrees warmer. With lighter winds, expect an afternoon seabreeze to make its way inland from the coast. Thus temps along the coast may top out a few degrees cooler tomorrow vs. today. Sat night brings a similar setup overnight with few clouds and light winds. Falling temps overnight may have a quicker start as winds should slow earlier. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The extended period start quiet but turns unsettled for much of next week. Although no all day rain is expected, chances of showers do increase. In the dailies: Sunday will feature high pressure over northern New England resulting in dry and seasonably warm temperatures. Dewpoints will be slightly higher than Saturday but not as high as they have been in recent weeks or will be later next week. Monday and Tuesday we will be tracking a compressed area of low pressure both at the surface and aloft that originates over the western Atlantic. Models show this system being pulled to the west nearing south coastal areas which will result in an increase in shower possibilities later Monday into Tuesday. There is still uncertainty as to how far west the low makes it and how much moisture will be drawn in as models show the system weakening as it approaches the coast. The extra cloud cover from this system may help keep temperatures down some...but still expect warm conditions with dew points on the increase resulting in muggy conditions. For Wednesday though Friday a warm front will push over area resulting in a warm and muggy airmass with more chances of showers and thunderstorms. This is a rather typical mid summer pattern for New England. && .AVIATION /03Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Short Term...VFR. Some restrictions may be possible towards LEB/HIE for overnight valley fog. Some elevated wildfire smoke may be present in the region overnight and Saturday, but not expecting significantly reduced ground visibility at this time. Winds become calm overnight tonight, and will be lighter tomorrow outside of a sea breeze affecting coastal terminals Sat afternoon. This may result in a south wind shift with gusts to 15 kts. Long Term... VFR conditions Sunday into Monday give way to MVFR with areas of IFR in scattered showers Monday Afternoon and Tuesday. Areas of fog may develop Monday Night. && .MARINE... Short Term...SW winds become S into Saturday as high pressure moves south of the region. Conditions remain below SCA criteria, but will tend to become breeze during the day and lighter overnight. Waves 1 to 3 ft. Long Term... In general wind and waves to remain below SCA levels through Monday. There could be a period of SCA winds and waves Tuesday and Wednesday as a southerly flow increases. Expect showers and areas of fog to develop late Monday through Wednesday. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && $$ UPDATES...Baron NEAR TERM...Cornwell SHORT TERM...Cornwell LONG TERM...Lulofs