Winter/Spring Flood Outlook #8
Northern & Eastern Maine
Flood Outlook due to Natural Flows is Normal for Northern Maine & Central Highlands
Flood Outlook due to Natural Flows is Below Normal for Bangor Region & Downeast Maine
OVERVIEW:
The Risk of Ice Jams is Elevated for the Central Highlands (Piscataquis & Penobscot River Basins).
The Risk of Ice Jams is Limited for Northern Maine (St. John, Allagash & Aroostook River Basins).
The Risk of Ice Jams has Ended for the Bangor Region & Downeast Maine.
SNOWPACK (SD) &
SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT (SWE)

“T” = Trace
Northern Basins: SDs 4-16”. SWEs 1.5-4.5”. Highest values in the North Woods in the Upper St. John Basin. SD & SWE well below normal.
Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: SDs 0-18” with most areas a Trace or Bare Ground. Chimney Pond (Baxter SP @ 2914ft) SD is 23”. SWEs generally 0-3” with up to 5” at highest terrain. SD & SWE well below normal.
Downeast to Bangor Basins: Mostly bare ground. SD & SWE well below normal.
RIVER ICE
Northern Basins: 70-90% Covered. Significant rot and decay underway in headwaters and anywhere near tributaries/runoff areas. Ice on the Meduxnekeag River has flushed. Thickness: 0 to 1-2 Feet on the Aroostook & St. John.
Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: 50-60% Covered. Ice Jams on Pleasant River & Piscataquis River. Blocks on the jams have been generally 1-2 feet thick. Significant break up and rot/decay underway or ongoing. Ice flushing underway on most waterways. Thickness: Few inches to 2 feet. 
Downeast to Bangor Basins: 70-85% ice cover. Several areas of ice rot causing very thin ice conditions. Ice thickness significantly varying 4-15 inches.
PRECIPITATION & TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK
Temperatures: Below Normal. Precipitation: Slightly Above Normal.
Pattern: Ensembles (GEFS/EPS/GEPS) hinting at a late-period warmup driven by a trending +AO/NAO. A slight negative PNA keeps us locked in an active, quasi-zonal flow. P-types are a headache to predict, but thanks to the higher sun angle and nearing the end of March, precipitation will increasingly lean toward rain.
RIVER FLOW STATUS
Flows Normal to Above Normal. Expect flows to remain steady. 
FROST DEPTH
Northern Basins: 15-26” Deep, Central: 2-12” Deep. Downeast: Mostly thawed.
GROUNDWATER
Below Normal due to ongoing Moderate to Severe Drought. Recharge occurring. 
Valid Mar 19th-26th  
Piscataquis River @ Maxfield
Courtesy: Lisa Carroll
Taken: 3/18/2026
Please Report River Ice Conditions
via Social Media or email us at nws.caribou@noaa.gov
Piscataquis River @ Maxfield
Courtesy: Joel Irwin
Taken: 3/18/2026
Pleasant River @ Milo
Courtesy: Milo Fire Dept
Taken: 3/18/2026
Meduxnekeag River @ Houlton
Courtesy: Chris Mooers
Taken: 3/18/2026