3:59 AM Caribou, Maine January 5, 2026 National Weather Service OVERVIEW: Snow and gusty winds will impact the area tonight through Friday. TIMING Snow will begin tonight. Snow will switch to rain in Bangor and the Downeast region by early morning Thursday. Strongest winds are expected late tonight into Thursday morning along the coast, then Thursday evening through Friday afternoon elsewhere. HAZARDS & IMPACTS Snow: The storm could produce snowfall rates up to one inch per hour at times Thursday morning, especially in the Central Highlands. This could impact the Thursday morning commute. Wind: Strong wind gusts along the coast could lead to isolated to scattered power outages. Gusty winds Thursday are expected to blow around falling snow, reducing visibility. Strong winds Thursday night and Friday could cause additional blowing snow and reduced visibility. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Confidence is high for the timing of the event and strong winds. Confidence is moderate for the northern extent of the rain/snow line, and total snow amounts. For more information, visit www.weather.gov/car/winter NEXT BRIEFING This is the final briefing for this event unless conditions warrant. Winter Storm Update Winter/Spring Flood Outlook #1 Northern & Eastern Maine OVERVIEW: The Flood Outlook due to Natural Flows is Normal for Northern and Eastern Maine The Flood Outlook due to Ice Jams is Normal for Northern and Eastern Maine SNOWPACK (SD) & SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT (SWE) “T” = Trace Northern Basins: SDs generally 7-13” w/ isolated up to 15”. SWEs 1.2-2.0” w/ isolated higher amounts up to 3” at higher terrain. Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: SDs 5-15” w/ isolated higher amounts. Chimney Pond (Baxter SP @ 2971ft) SD is 24”. SWEs generally 0.5-1.5” with higher amounts >3” at highest terrain. Downeast to Bangor Basins: SDs generally 2-9” with SWEs 0.3-1.0”. RIVER ICE Northern Basins: Nearly 100% ice cover in the St. John & Aroostook Basins. Previous break up on Meduxnekeag River is refreezing in place. Estimated ice thickness 6-9” with isolated 10-12” on the St. John & Aroostook. Ice is grey ice. Central Highlands, Moosehead & Baxter Regions: 65-85% cover in the Penobscot & Piscataquis Basins with exception near & downstream of dam/mill discharges. Ice thickness 2-5” with isolated up to 8” thick in head ponds of dams. Downeast to Bangor Basins: 30-60% cover. Generally zero to few inches thick. Highest ice coverage in upper stretches of St. Croix & Narraguagus Rivers. PRECIPITATION & TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK Temperatures: Below Normal. Precipitation: Near Normal. Pattern: Initially a large shift in the weather pattern as large ridging develops off the SE US coast which turns things warmer. The northern jet remains active and amplified with several rounds of systems possible. Strong signals in the long range modeling shows a return to much colder weather in the second half of this outlook. RIVER FLOW STATUS Flows are Below Normal to Near Normal. Will continue to remain steady. FROST DEPTH Northern Basins: 9-14” Deep, Central Basins: 5-9” Deep & Downeast: 3-6” Deep GROUNDWATER Below Normal due to ongoing Moderate to Severe Drought. Valid Jan 5th - Jan 22nd Aroostook River @ Washburn Taken: 12/28/2025 Penobscot River in Bangor Taken: 12/22/2025 Courtesy: Tom Mercier St. John River in St. Francis Taken: 1/4/2026 Courtesy: Craig Ouellette