342
FXUS61 KGYX 170621
AFDGYX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gray ME
221 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes with this forecast update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A seasonably cold airmass and gusty winds arrive behind the
cold front to start the weekend, with wintry conditions across
the higher terrain.

2. Mild and dry conditions look to persist from Sunday through
much of next week as high pressure dominates over the Northeast.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...

The passing of a cold front this evening will bring a strong
pressure gradient over the area. The front will usher in dry and
colder air, allowing for mixing to occur overnight and gusty
winds can be expected through this evening. Winds could gust
between 25 and 35 mph, and could lead to some unsecured objects,
like tents, and patio furniture blowing away. These northwest
winds will also make today feel chilly, as high temperatures
could struggle to even reach 50F away from the immediate coast.

For hikers: Conditions will be dangerous and wintry in the
higher terrain. In addition to snow showers, winds will be much
higher and and temperatures much colder, making for winds chills
in the single digits to possibly below zero above tree line.

High pressure looks to build overhead tonight, which will allow
for the winds to calm. Calm winds and clear skies should create
radiational cooling conditions. Low temperatures in the 20s are
forecast, but some places north of the mountains could see lows
in the teens for the first time since last winter.

KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...

Starting on Sunday, an upper-level trough exits the
northeastern US and is replaced by a broad ridge. In general,
upper-level ridging should allow for temperatures to be more
mild through much of next week and temperatures do look to run a
little above average on Sunday and Monday. However, high
pressure to the north especially towards the middle of next week
may lead to more seasonable temperatures then. No precipitation
is forecast next week.

&&

.AVIATION /02Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Through tonight...Conditions continue to improve across the
area this morning. South of the mountains, conditions are either
VFR or will improve to VFR in the next couple of hours. Upslope
cloud cover, along with some rain or snow showers, will keep
MVFR conditions going north of the mtns into the afternoon.
Northwesterly wind gusts today will be around 25 kt for most
terminals. These winds will diminish quickly as we approach
sunset.

OUTLOOK:

Sunday-Wednesday...High pressure brings an extended period of
VFR conditions with no sig wx. Wind will tend to follow typical
diurnal patterns.

&&

.MARINE...
SCA conditions are expected to linger thru this evening before
diminishing overnight. Then high pressure is in control starting
Sun. However there is still uncertainty regarding track of a
low pressure expected to develop off of the coast of the
Carolinas next week. There is potential for this to push a 5 to
7 ft swell into the Gulf of Maine for the first half of the
week, but if high pressure remains dominant and this low remains
suppressed conditions would likely be calmer. Late week is also
uncertain as additional low pressure may form east of the Gulf
of Maine.

&&

.GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...None.
NH...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT Saturday night for
     ANZ150>154.

&&

$$

Discussion...Legro/Palmer