Monday, May 16, 2016

7.5 inches of snowfall Monday breaks record in northern Maine

J
Julia Bayly | BDN
 
Few things say spring in northern Maine like fresh snow on new buds. Close to 2 inches of snow had fallen by early Monday morning in the higher elevations of the St. John Valley.
 
CARIBOU, Maine — Jessica Michaud of Presque Isle thought spring had arrived in Aroostook County, and left the bright, bountiful spread of forget-me-nots she bought at a local store outside Sunday evening.

She awoke Monday to find them nearly covered in snow.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Just when you think you’ve beaten old man winter, he reminds you that you’re living in Maine.”

A late spring storm dropped up to 7 inches in the Aroostook County town of Perham on Monday, the most on record for the area this late in the season since 1939, according to the National Weather Service Caribou.

Mark Bloomer, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Caribou, said the storm originated when a strong low pressure system in the east pulled cold air down through Hudson Bay, across Quebec and down into Maine.

Bloomer said the former Loring Air Force Base recorded 7 inches of snow, while Mapleton and Presque Isle each received 6 inches. Caribou registered 4.5 inches.

“Most other places [in northern Aroostook] received between 5 and 6 inches of snow,” Bloomer said.

The cold precipitation caused for some slick roads in the area, but no major crashes were reported.

The snow tapered off and ended by early afternoon. While temperatures up north were expected to keep rising through the week, a frost advisory was issued for southwestern Maine in the Bethel and Fryeburg areas.

The advisory, in effect from 2 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, warned of temperatures in the low 30s and suggested sensitive outdoor plants be covered to avoid freezing.

Beyond that, Bloomer said the forecast called for warmer weather ahead.

“A warming trend is on the way, and that will bring temperatures near 70,” he said.

New Brunswick weather: Snow arrives in northwestern communities

Warmer temperatures and sunshine are expected later this week and into the long May weekend

By Vanessa Blanch, CBC News Posted: May 16, 2016 5:57 AM AT Last Updated: May 16, 2016 11:42 AM AT
 
It's the middle of May and many parts of northwestern New Brunswick are dealing with a layer of snow that is falling.

Many southern communities have witnessed a few snowflakes on Monday morning, but the snow is starting to pile up in areas north of Perth-Andover.

The Trans-Canada Highway in the Perth-Andover area is down to one lane of travelling because of the snow.

Jim Abraham, a CBC meteorologist, said all three Maritime provinces would be seeing some rain, and possibly snow, to start the week.

The snow and flurries on Monday are expected to improve on Tuesday with a mix of sun and cloud for all but eastern areas of New Brunswick, where showers are expected to persist. Temperatures will remain on the cool side.

"For the remainder of the work week, and perhaps into the long weekend, we can expect generally fine weather and warmer temperatures."

New Brunswick forecast
 
Northern New Brunswick

Today: It will be cloudy with showers, mixed with wet flurries in the northwest, and a high of 6 C. Winds will be from the west at 25 km/h with about 5 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow possible.

Tonight: Showers are expected to continue with a low of 1 C.

Tuesday: Skies will remain cloudy with the chance of a shower. Winds will be from the west at 25 km/h with a high of 12 C.

Fredericton and area

Today: It will be cloudy with showers in the Fredericton area, with winds from the west at 25 km/h and a high of 6 C.

Tonight: Showers are expected to continue with a low of 4 C.

Tuesday: Communities in the capital area can expect a mix of sun and cloud with winds from the west at 25 km/h and a high near 13 C.

Southern New Brunswick

Today: It will be cloudy with a few showers, winds from the west at 25 km/h and a high of 9 C.

Tonight; A few showers are expected with a low near 5 C.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud in the southwest but more clouds and the chance of showers in the southeast. Winds will be from the west at 25 km/h with a high near 13 C.