Wintry Mix Headed to Maine Overnight Before Easter Rain

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Parts of Maine's interior could see a mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain starting late Thursday night into Friday, with the northern Aroostook County area potentially getting up to 7 inches of snow, an inch of sleet, and a tenth of an inch of ice. Coastal communities may see cold rain, while areas north of Bar Harbor, Augusta, and Fryeburg should expect mixed precipitation, including light freezing rain, rolling in around 11 p.m. Thursday. Another weather system is expected to bring widespread showers on Easter Sunday, with northern parts of the state possibly experiencing freezing precipitation and slick roads.

Why it matters

Wintry weather in the spring can create dangerous driving conditions, especially for the morning commute, and impact travel plans for the Easter holiday weekend. The National Weather Service has issued advisories and warnings to help residents prepare for the potential hazardous conditions.

The details

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for most of central, western, and northern Maine that's in effect from late Thursday night until Friday. A winter storm warning is also in effect for northern Aroostook County, including Caribou, Fort Kent, and Presque Isle, from 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday. That area could get 4 to 7 inches of snow, an inch of sleet, and up to a tenth of an inch of ice. Coastal communities in southern and Midcoast Maine may see some cold rain, while areas north of Bar Harbor, Augusta, and Fryeburg should expect mixed precipitation, including light freezing rain, starting around 11 p.m. Thursday. The precipitation will start as snow in northern Maine and then turn to sleet and freezing rain between midnight and 2 a.m. Friday before transitioning to rain as warmer air moves in.

• The winter weather advisory is in effect from late Thursday night until Friday.
• The winter storm warning for northern Aroostook County is in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday.
• The mixed precipitation is expected to start around 11 p.m. Thursday in areas north of Bar Harbor, Augusta, and Fryeburg.
• Sleet and freezing rain will break out between midnight and 2 a.m. Friday along the coastal Down East region across to Bangor and the Central Highlands.
• Another weather system that could bring more widespread precipitation is expected Saturday night into Easter morning.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Residents in the affected areas should monitor weather forecasts and be prepared for potentially hazardous driving conditions on Friday morning. Those with travel plans for the Easter weekend should also stay updated on the latest weather information.