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 that haven’t seen one yet, even at the immediate coast. This includes many of the inlets and points that stick into the water from Brunswick to Eastport.

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

Thursday a storm will approach from the southwest and, with 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 pictures 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 be only rain in most of the area, however.  It’s a bit early for snow at the coastline.

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

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