textproduct: Gray - Portland

WHAT HAS CHANGED

No major changes were needed this Friday evening.

KEY MESSAGES

1. Cooler conditions prevail through the weekend with chances for snow showers mainly in the mountains. We will then gradually warm back to above normal temperatures next week.

DISCUSSION

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...

Broad upper level troughing currently remains in place over the eastern CONUS with an upper low to our south near the Great Lakes, and another upper low to our north over east central Quebec. The Great Lakes low will gradually drift east southeast through the day before it becomes absorbed in the parent trough. The Quebec low will then dumbbell down into southern Quebec tonight and into northern New England on Saturday/Saturday night. This pattern will lead to slightly below normal high temperatures through the weekend but lows will be well below normal for most areas, mainly in the 20s. This pattern will also lead to periodic snow showers around and north of the mountains on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday/Saturday night will likely see the best coverage as that is when the upper low should move overhead. Any accumulations should remain light but a few of the higher peaks could see an inch or two, especially across northern New Hampshire and northwest Maine.

The upper low and trough will finally start to push east on Sunday which will lead to diminishing precipitation chances by the afternoon and evening. Ridging then starts to nudge to begin the work week, which will lead to a gradual warming trend back to above normal temperatures. On Monday, highs will mainly range from the upper 30s to upper 40s, but we will be back to widespread highs in the upper 40s to upper 50s by midweek with a few lower 60s possible across the south. With high pressure dominating, next wee should remain dry. The next trough may approach at the end of the week into next weekend but nothing looks impactful at the moment.

AVIATION /00Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Through 18Z Saturday: Ceilings will continue to lift through the afternoon with VFR conditions becoming likely outside of the mountains for the most part. We could still see an hour or two of MVFR ceilings at LEB and CON. MVFR ceilings are then possible tonight at HIE. A few snow showers may develop over the mountains early on Saturday which could lead to brief MVFR visibilities at LEB and HIE. Winds will generally be light out of the north.

Outlook...

Saturday-Sunday: VFR conditions expected, except HIE where MVFR CIGs and snow showers remain possible. Moderate confidence.

Monday-Wednesday: VFR conditions expected. Moderate confidence.

MARINE

Winds and seas will continue to relax through the rest of today and tonight. Then the next potential SCA conditions arrive Mon with the passage of a weak cold front and northwesterly winds becoming breezy in its wake.

GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None.