An active weather pattern is about to get underway. While we have to wait until Thursday to see any precipitation, there are strong indications that this storm will bring some much-needed rainfall and even more snow over the interior.

Before we get to the rain at the end of the week, we have to contend with November-like cold Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  There is the possibility of a hard freeze in areas which haven’t seen one yet is real, even at the immediate coast. This includes much of the inlets and points which stick out into the water from Brunswick to Eastport.

The reason for the expected cold weather tomorrow morning is due to the chilly air in place today.  Temperatures this afternoon have been in the 40s and it feels very cool with a persistent wind.

Thursday a storm will approach from the southwest and will cold air in place the chance for snow exists over western and northern areas.  I would not be surprised if the forecast even included some accumulation in the western part of the state and into New Hampshire.  You’ll no doubt see some of the ski areas putting out picture of snow covered trails Friday morning.   It’s not too early for this type of weather in the mountains.

This doesn’t look like a big deal, but any snow in October certainly reminds us of what is to come and depending on the timing of the system travel could become tricky in the highest elevations late Thursday night or early Friday.

I chose the map below which shows our upcoming storm system’s location in the early morning hours of Friday.  In this position, the cold air would be locked in place for a while with some snow at the beginning of the storm in the mountains and perhaps foothills.  There will only be rain in most of the area however.  It’s a bit early for snow at the coastline.

A strong storm will bring a soaking rain to southern and central Maine Thursday night and part of Friday

In the rest of the area the storm will bring a steady rain Thursday night and Friday before tapering off leaving us will cool weather into the weekend with perhaps more rainfall Sunday.