Much of Maine Under High Wind + Flood Warnings Ahead of Storm

Ahead of a powerful storm, weather warnings have been issued for much of Maine.

The National Weather Service is warning of a powerful storm expected to bring damaging winds, a soaking rain to Maine, followed by a flash freeze. The storm is expected to push into Maine early Friday morning. Precipitation will begin as snow, transitioning to a mix of freezing rain and snow, eventually changing to rain. Rain will fall heavy at times during the evening hours.

Forecasters say, "Combination of Heavy Rain and Snowmelt will cause significant runoff since the ground is frozen. There is a potential for flash flooding & river flooding across Downeast areas, Bangor area into the Central Highlands." Coastal flooding is also a concern due to astronomical high tides, in combination with high surf, and storm surge.

Damaging winds are expected to develop Friday morning, peaking throughout the evening hours. Forecasters say, "Expect widespread wind gusts 55-60mph with gusts 60-70mph in the Bangor area to Downeast coast. This will likely cause Scattered to Widespread Power Outages. Please be careful traveling with falling trees likely."

The storm will end with a flash freeze throughout the overnight hours, as temps fall well below freezing. Forecasters say, "Late Friday Night into early Saturday AM temperatures will fall 10-20 degrees in a short period of time falling below freezing. A Flash Freeze is likely to cause very slippery travel conditions on untreated surfaces. Use extreme caution during the overnight into Saturday AM."

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