Winter/Spring Flood Outlook #2
Northern & Eastern Maine
OVERVIEW:
The Flood Outlook due to Natural Flows is Below Normal for Northern and Eastern Maine
The Flood Outlook due to Ice Jams is Below Normal for Northern and Eastern Maine
SNOWPACK (SD) &
SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT (SWE)

“T” = Trace
Northern Basins: SDs generally 17-26” w/ isolated higher amounts up to 30”. SWEs 1-3” w/ isolated higher amounts to 4”. SD & SWE slightly below normal.
Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: SDs 4-16” w/ isolated higher amounts to 2ft. Chimney Pond (Baxter SP @ 2971ft) SD is 31”. SWEs generally 1-3” with higher amounts >3” at highest terrain. SD/SWEs below normal. 
Downeast to Bangor Basins: SDs generally 3-10” w/ isolated higher amounts in the higher terrain inland. SWEs 0.5-1”. SD/SWEs below normal.
RIVER ICE
Northern Basins: 95-98% ice cover in the St. John & Aroostook Basins. Ice thickness 9-15” w/ isolated up to 18”. Ice is grey ice.
Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: 75-90% cover in the Penobscot & Piscataquis Basins w/ exception near & downstream of dam/mill discharges. Ice thickness 5-10” w/ isolated up to 12” thick in head ponds of dams. Solid ice between Veazie and Bangor to near the Hampden townline.
Downeast to Bangor Basins: 65-75% cover. Ice thickness 5-10”. Highest ice coverage in upper stretches of St. Croix & Narraguagus Rivers.
PRECIPITATION & TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK
Temperatures: Below Normal. Precipitation: Below Normal.
Pattern: Long wave troughing remains in the eastern US w/ multiple arctic air shots expected, leading to strong signals of below normal temps. Large scale storm track mainly remains south of the area, however brief breaks may lead to systems near the area. Overall favorability leads to below normal precip.
RIVER FLOW STATUS
Flows are Below Normal to Near Normal. Will continue to remain steady.
FROST DEPTH
Northern Basins: 12-18” Deep, Central Basins: 3-9” Deep & Downeast: 3-8” Deep
GROUNDWATER
Below Normal due to ongoing Moderate to Severe Drought. 
Valid Jan 22nd - Feb 5th  
Aroostook River @ Masardis
Taken: 1/19/2026
St. John River at Dickey Bridge
Taken: 1/19/2026
St. John River in T8 R17
Taken: 1/15/2026
Courtesy: NOAA OMAO