Good morning Maine. I'm DJ Huzz. Step outside
and you will feel that damp chill cutting right
through your jacket. That is classic early March
in Maine. We have got fog clinging to the coast,
half an inch of fresh snow lingering from yesterday
and temperatures that are playing hard to get
this morning. But here's the twist. Spring is
making its move. Today's high of 47 degrees in
Portland is 7 degrees above normal, and that
is just the opening act. Down along the coast,
Portland wakes up to areas of fog and a chance
of drizzle before 9 a .m. By afternoon you will
actually feel that hint of spring. Highs reach
46 degrees with south winds gusting to 25 miles
an hour, but do not put away the umbrella just
yet. Rain likely returns overnight, with temperatures
doing something unusual. We are rising from 41
at sunset to 47 by sunrise Sunday. That is right,
we are actually getting warmer after dark. Head
north to Augusta and Waterville, and you will
find a different story unfolding. Freezing rain
and sleet make for a tricky morning commute before
changing to plain rain by late morning. Highs
still climb to 46 degrees, well above normal,
but the real drama happens overnight when rain
becomes likely again. one silver lining. Sunday
brings mostly cloudy skies and a high near 55.
That is 15 degrees above average for early March.
The mountains are where winter makes its last
stand today. Freezing rain is likely through
mid -morning in the western mountains. Up to
a tenth of an inch of ice could create slick
spots on untreated roads. Highs only reach 47
degrees there, but overnight we see rain moving
in with temperatures actually rising to around
40. Sunday brings partly sunny skies and a high
near 52, still 12 degrees above normal for this
time of year. Up in Arustook County, they are
seeing the most dramatic warm -up. After starting
at just 18 degrees this morning, temperatures
soar to 44 by afternoon. That is a 26 degree
jump in 12 hours. Rain becomes likely tonight
with temperatures continuing to rise overnight.
Sunday brings rain showers likely and highs near
46. nearly 10 degrees above normal for the county
in early March. Looking ahead, we have got a
wild temperature roller coaster coming. Monday
and Tuesday bring record challenging warmth.
We are talking highs in the upper 50s to near
60 degrees statewide. That is 20 degrees above
normal for this time of year, but do not get
too comfortable. By Wednesday, a storm system
moves in with rain likely, followed by a sharp
cool down. Thursday could even bring a chance
of snow mixing in as temperatures plummet back
to the 30s and 40s. The big picture? This is
classic main March weather. We are gaining nearly
three minutes of daylight each day now. The maple
sugaring season kicks off in just eight days,
and the spring equinox is only 13 days away.
But as today proves, winter isn't ready to leave
without a fight. Charge your phone before you
head out tonight. That cold drain catches everyone
off guard this time of year. See you tomorrow.
See you this afternoon.