FIRST ALERT Thursday with snow impacts, cold stretch starting Friday

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Happy New Year everyone! We are starting off 2026 with a First Alert Day! Snow will continue to accumulate across parts of Maine this afternoon. Skies will be cloudy with a few scattered snow showers; however, more consistent and heavier snow is likely Downeast. Snow may produce hazardous travel for the evening commute, especially Downeast. A few late afternoon breaks in clouds are possible farther to the South and West this afternoon. High temps will vary from the upper 10s to low 30s before a cold front passes through later this afternoon, providing colder temperatures and increasing gusty winds. Strong NW winds with gusts between 25-40 mph may produce blowing and drifting snow. A Gale Warning and Freezing Spray Advisory will be issued off the coast this afternoon.

WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) A Winter Storm Warning remains active Downeast until 7:00pm, with Winter Weather Advisories from the Midcoast up to the County expiring between 7:00pm and midnight. Snow totals from this whole system will be highest Downeast, with roughly 4-8 inches. 2-4 inches of snow is expected from the Midcoast to the Bangor region, and up into Southern and Central parts of Aroostook County. 1-2 inches is expected elsewhere.

WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) Tonight, skies will start cloudy with partly to mostly clear conditions after midnight. A few snow showers are possible earlier on to the North and East. Low temps will be very cold, throughout the negatives and single digits. The cold combined with WNW gusts reaching 30-40 mph will create wind chills (feels like temperatures) into the –10s and –20s by Friday morning. Blowing/drifting snow will remain a concern.

WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) Friday will start a streak of four consecutive days with very cold conditions. Highs on Friday will vary from the low 0s to low 20s. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny. A few more clouds are possible up North in the morning. West gusts will reach 25-35 mph, so wind chills will remain below zero all day. Blowing and drifting snow are possible. Gale Warnings and Freezing Spray Advisories remain active.

WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) The weekend will see high temps in the single digits and teens for most, although a few low 20s can’t be ruled out on the coast and in Southern Maine. Skies will be partly cloudy on Saturday with WNW gusts reaching 20-30 mph. More clouds are expected to start Sunday, with more sunshine developing in the afternoon. A few snow showers can’t be ruled out. NW gusts will be quieter on Sunday, only reaching 20 mph.

By next Monday, high temps remain very cold, from the mid 0s to upper 10s. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny with gusts reaching 20 mph. Temperatures will finally start to warm by Tuesday, with highs throughout the 10s and 20s. Clouds will build a bit more with snow showers possible.

Our next best chance of precipitation will develop on Wednesday, with snow, a wintry mix, and rain all on the cards with highs throughout the 20s and 30s.

WABI Weather 1/1/26 AM (WABI) THURSDAY: FIRST ALERT. Highs from upper 10s to low 30s. Cloudy. Snow showers, heavy at times Downeast. Hazardous travel and road conditions. E/SW gusts reach 25 mph, increasing PM NW gusts reach 25-40 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from low 0s to low 20s. Partly to mostly sunny. More AM clouds North. Blowing snow possible. West gusts reach 25-35 mph. Frigid AM wind chills.

SATURDAY: Highs from low 0s to low 20s. Partly cloudy. WNW gusts reach 20-30 mph.

SUNDAY: Highs from mid 0s to low 20s. Cloudier AM, partly cloudy PM. Few snow showers possible. NNW gusts reach 20 mph.

MONDAY: Highs from mid 0s to upper 10s. Mostly sunny AM. Partly sunny PM. NW gusts reach 20 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs from low 10s to upper 20s. Partly to mostly cloudy. Snow showers possible. WSW gusts reach 20 mph.

FIRST ALERT Thursday with snow impacts, cold stretch starting Friday

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