MAINE, USA — If you had any doubt about whether it's December, the first week of the month will convince you it's here! Temperatures will be below average through the weekend, and we have another round of snow on the way.
This time is different than Thanksgiving Day, though.
The source will be an "Alberta clipper," known for being quick-moving but also starved for moisture. They generally produce light snow, but on occasion, can become a bit stronger as they move into New England. That will likely be the case this time, so instead of just some snow showers, we'll get a burst of snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The timing is the issue here, with most of it coming in overnight into early Thursday morning.
Snow showers will develop from west to east Wednesday evening and night. It will be quite cold in the mountains, so it's expected to be all snow there.
Even on the coast, there will likely be some snow, but temperatures will be closer to freezing and a southerly wind will kick up by Thursday morning. This will push the rain/snow line inland from the coast, especially in Maine's midcoast and eastern regions.
Thursday morning's commute will be slow and slippery in spots, especially early on. Some school delays are likely.
We should find quick improvement though from west to east during the morning. By noon, it's expected to be dry in most of the state, except in far eastern and northern Maine. Late morning and afternoon travel will be much better as temperatures rise above freezing in most areas outside of the mountains.
Along the coast, accumulations will be limited to a slushy inch or less, mixed with rain.
Farther inland, across much of interior York and Cumberland Counties into central Maine, 1" to 3" of snow is expected. In the White Mountains, hills of western Maine and near Route 2, it will be a bit colder, so 3" to 5" of snow is expected there. A bit more moisture is possible north of Bangor in the Central Highlands and County. This is likely to be the jackpot area with 5" to 8" of snow.
Not a big storm at all, but another nice base-builder for the mountains.
Behind the system, it's going to be cold and windy Friday with temperatures struggling to rise out of the 20s for highs.
Ryan