Mid-March Winter Storm Update One

Mid-March Winter Storm

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
418 PM EDT MON MAR 18 2013

MEZ001-002-006-032-191015-
/O.COR.KCAR.WS.W.0004.130319T2300Z-130320T1800Z/
NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK-
NORTHERN WASHINGTON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALLAGASH...CLAYTON LAKE...MADAWASKA...
FORT KENT...FRENCHVILLE...PRESQUE ISLE...CARIBOU...VAN BUREN...
MARS HILL...HOULTON...HODGDON...SHERMAN...SMYRNA MILLS...
DANFORTH...VANCEBORO...TOPSFIELD
418 PM EDT MON MAR 18 2013

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM TUESDAY TO 2 PM
EDT WEDNESDAY...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM
TUESDAY TO 2 PM EDT WEDNESDAY.

* LOCATIONS...EAST CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MAINE.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW WITH SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW.
* TIMING...TUESDAY EVENING INTO WEDNESDAY EARLY AFTERNOON.
* WINDS...NORTHEAST 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

* IMPACTS...MODERATE. HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL RESULT IN DIFFICULT
DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW IN
OPEN TERRAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OF
WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES. ADDITIONAL DETAILS
CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/CAR.

&&

$$

VJN

WOCN15 CWHX 181904


Special weather statement updated by Environment Canada at 4:04 PM
ADT Monday 18 March 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Special weather statement for:
Prince Edward Island.

First day of spring likely to bring a taste of winter to the
Island on Wednesday.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==

A low pressure system is expected to develop south of Long Island on
Tuesday and track northeastward towards the Maritimes Tuesday night.
Snow ahead of the system will begin over Southwestern Nova Scotia
Tuesday afternoon and expected to reach the island overnight Tuesday.
A mix of snow and ice pellets is expected and will persist most of
the day. Although it is still very early to estimate amounts, it is
possible that some regions may require warnings. The public is
advised to monitor future forecasts.

Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment
Canada at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca

End

St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County


3:12 PM ADT Monday 18 March 2013

Snowfall warning for

St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County issued

15 centimetres of snow expected Tuesday night.

This is a warning that significant snowfall is expected in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

A low pressure system will approach New Brunswick from the west on Tuesday. Snow associated with this low will begin in the evening in the southwest and will spread northeastward across the province throughout the night. The highest accumulations are expected in the southwest, with up to 15 centimetres currently forecast. However, warnings may be extended as the storm approaches.

Halifax County - east of Porters Lake


3:56 PM ADT Monday 18 March 2013

Winter storm watch for

Halifax County - east of Porters Lake issued

A wintery mix of snow and ice pellets expected Tuesday night into Wednesday.

This is an alert to the potential development of dangerous winter weather conditions in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

A low pressure system is expected to develop south of Long Island on Tuesday and track northeastward towards the Maritimes Tuesday night. Snow ahead of the system will begin over Southwestern Nova Scotia Tuesday afternoon and spread eastward throughout the evening.

There is still uncertainty with the exact track and intensity of the low, therefore forecast precipitation amounts may change. As a result winter storm watches have been issued for areas west of Halifax for snowfall amounts that may exceed 15 centimeters as well as ice pellets and reduced visibilities in local blowing snow.

These watches may need to be extended to regions further east or upgraded to warnings as the system approaches

Seasonal (Winter 2013) Climate Narrative - Northern & Eastern Maine

AREA SEASONAL CLIMATE NARRATIVE

The period of meteorological winter (December 1st-February 28th)for northern and Downeast Maine will be remembered for above...But changeable temperatures...near normal precipitation...slightly above average snowfall and below normal snow depth.

Temperatures across the region averaged nearly uniformly 2 to 3 degrees above average across the area. At Caribou (Bangor)...this winter season which averaged 16.9 (22.9) degrees finished as the 12th (14th) warmest...not even close to the warmest winter season on record of 21.0 (29.4) degrees recorded in 2009/2010 (1936/37).

Liquid equivalent precipitation...although averaging near normal for the region as a whole...did show some regional variability ranging...for instance...from about 75 percent of normal at Bangor to 110 percent of normal at Caribou. Some locations along the Downeast coast received up to 125 percent of normal. The 6.50 inch total for Bangor was the 13th driest winter season on record there...with 3.06 inches recorded in 1948 the driest.

Snowfall this season generally ranged from 100 to 140 percent of normal...with the highest percentages across locations receiving the greatest storm totals from one or multiple heavy snow events. Despite above average snowfall this winter season...average snow depth was decidedly below normal...especially across the north where a couple of January thaws ravaged the snow pack...with some places nearly having to start from scratch at the beginning of February. Due to series of storms in February...each with varying impacts across different portions of the region...snow pack depth was able to briefly reach near normal seasonal maximum values right at the close of the month. With all snow events and thaws considered...at Caribou...the 6 inch snow depth average for the season was tied for 5th lowest with 5 other winter seasons compared to the leanest average snow depth winter season of 3 inches recorded in the December through February period of 1961/62. The relatively thin snow pack across the north did have some impact on restricting snow mobile and skiing activities at times this season.

Memorable events this winter included the heavy coastal Downeast snowstorm of December 29th and 30th...record high temperatures Reaching into the 50s over portions of the region on January 14th...30th and 31st which sandwiched a very cold period between January 21st and 26th. Other high impact events include the great February 8th and 9th New England snowstorm which affected particularly Downeast areas...the Downeast and northeast Maine blizzard of February 16th and 17th and the northeast Maine heavy snowstorm of February 28th.