MAINE, USA — Happy new year!
In true Maine fashion, we're kicking off 2022 with a storm.
This isn't the classic nor'easter that skiers dream of, though.
Instead, a cold front is going to pass through on Sunday as a weak area of low pressure moves through.
The National Weather Service offices in Gray and Caribou have winter weather advisories up for Sunday.
As cold air moves in, there should be just enough leftover moisture and energy to get a bit of snow out of this storm system.
The highest totals will be across the Katahdin region and toward the County. Impacts will not be as bad by Monday morning, though a flash freeze could occur.
This all starts as cold air slowly sliding into Maine from the north.
In southern and central Maine, rain will be falling.
Given the atmospheric temperature profile, I expect this to be a pretty clean transition from rain to wintry mix to snow.
By 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon, most areas outside of the immediate coastline will see a wintry mix or snow.
Snow in Bangor is most likely after 1 o'clock.
I've said multiple times this week that cold air chasing moisture never really leads to big, widespread snow.
This glance at 7 o'clock Sunday shows that well. There will still be some snow showers around, but the heaviest snow will be done.
By the time all is said and done, I expect the lowest totals to be along the coastline.
Central Maine will pick up between 1 and 3". I think it's possible that the greater Bangor area actually ends up right around an inch, but all it takes is a more robust snow shower to push totals closer to the 3" mark.
The jackpot will be over some of the western mountains and the Katahdin region, where 3-6" is expected.
The northernmost points in Maine will be a little too far removed from the best forcing, resulting in lower totals.
After the front passes, temperatures will drop quickly.
The day will be cold and windy. I expect slick conditions to last on untreated surfaces for the entire day.
If this isn't enough for you, I'm more enthusiastic about an actual snowstorm at the end of the week.
In fact, this is the best setup for a potential snowstorm in Maine that I have seen in over a year.
Clearly, 2021 was not memorable for snow.
- Mike Slifer, @MikeSliferWX
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