Slow-moving system to bring multiple rainy days to Maine
A weather system making its way across the northern United States is projected to bring multiple rainy days to Maine this week.
The National Weather Service projects that the system will reach southern Maine on Wednesday and depart the Down East this weekend.
The highest probability of precipitation across the state is Thursday, according to the weather service, which says Mainers will see a range of showers to heavy rainfall as the system runs its course.
The chances of rain are expected to dwindle Friday in the southern half of the state, while those farther north and east may have to wait until Saturday for things to begin clearing up.
Some meteorologists have projected the storm to be a rare summer nor’easter, while others say that it likely won’t have all the ingredients to be classified as such.
Cameron Barker, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Gray, said forecasts of a nor’easter are not “outrageous” but, as of Monday, it looks like this system won’t check every box. He said nor’easters are “energized” by mild temperatures over the ocean and much colder temperatures inland, and that’s not expected to be the case this week.
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“In terms of the dynamics, it’s not really structured like a true nor’easter,” Barker said. “But in terms of impacts of several days of some wind and heavy rainfall, I think there are definitely similarities.”
Typically, systems move quickly across the northern U.S. and promptly make their way offshore thanks to the jet stream, but Barker said this system is expected to linger in New England due to a “cutoff.”
“It’s going to pretty much detach from the stronger winds at the jet stream level and spin over the region for a few days,” Barker explained.
The weather service has placed parts of upstate New York and southern New England under flood watches for Tuesday and Wednesday. Barker said they will be monitoring for flooding in Maine, but the highest rainfall totals are expected to be in the interior Northeast, particularly in those areas already under flood watches.
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Tagged: National Weather Service, weather
Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. More by Drew Johnson
