149
FXUS61 KCAR 200535
AFDCAR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Caribou ME
135 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

- Expanded the Dense Fog Advisory into Southern, Central
  Penobscot County, All of Hancock County and into Coastal
  Washington County till 7AM EDT.

- Little more rain forecast with Sunday - Monday system

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Areas of dense fog this morning Downeast, Bangor Region and
into Southern Aroostook may impact travel with low visibilities.

2) There is the potential for widespread rainfall from Sunday
into Monday. It is not certain how much, if any, relief this
could bring to the developing drought at this time.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Areas of dense fog this morning Downeast,
Bangor Region and into Southern Aroostook may impact travel with
low visibilities.

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
ASOS, FAA Webcams and GOES-E Nighttime Microphysics Scheme
satellite data shows an area of dense fog along The Airline
(Route 9) to the Downeast shore. Additionally, dense fog extends
up the Penobscot River into Bangor and northward to Lincoln,
Springfield, Danforth and to Hodgdon area. Mainly impacting
areas along I-95 and south/eastward. Fog is expanding into
Central Washington County but has not become widespread yet.
Dense Fog Advisory currently in effect for the Bangor Region,
Central Penobscot County, All of Hancock County and Coastal
Washington County till 7AM EDT. Given the significant cloud
debris to the north expecting dense fog to remain along and
southeast of I-95 through daybreak till diurnal heating helps
mix/lift the fog out. Dense fog will make for potentially
dangerous travel conditions this morning with rapidly changing
visibilities.

KEY MESSAGE 2...There is the potential for areawide rainfall
from Sunday into Monday. It is not certain how much, if any,
relief this could bring to the developing drought at this time.

KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
Low pressure system approaches from the Great Lakes on Sunday,
moving into Quebec by Monday. Additionally, a surface low
pressure system slides along the coast on Sunday, bringing some
additional moisture along the coast. Global models continue to
lack favorable instabilty for severe storms, with most
atmospheric soundings just looking moist. PWATs roughly in the
1.75 range, which is above the 90th percentile for the daily
high PWAT value around Caribou. Regardless, not anticipating
relief from drought with these showers, as most model guidance
is keeping precipitation totals modest. Highest rain totals
anticipated along the Downeast coast, with potential to receive
1/2 to 1 inch of rain. Convection along frontal boundary could
result in some higher rain totals, but will need to monitor how
regional models pick up on this system to see if environment
will be favorable enough to support thunderstorms. Best chance
for thunderstorm development is Sunday afternoon. As of now,
high confidence in rain falling, but lower confidence in how
much, and the potential for thunderstorms.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
This Morning till 12z...LIFR at BGR/BHB due to FG. 1/4mi vsby
and VV002 both terms. Vsby/cigs may fluctuate through 10z
before slowly mixing/lifting out of these terms. Elsewhere
mainly VFR but SCT-BKN IFR possible at FVE due to BR/FG
developing. Confidence in FG/BR at northern terms is low due to
ongoing higher VFR cigs. Winds light and variable less than 5kt
at all terms.

Today...VFR. Light W winds 5-10kt becoming SW late morning at
BHB with the seabreeze. VCSH for FVE, CAR and PQI in the
afternoon but confidence in low.

Tonight...VFR. Low confidence in BCFG/BR reducing vsby. Light
and variable winds.

Friday...VFR. Light N-NW winds less than 5kt.

Friday night-Saturday: VFR. Rain begins to move into KBHB and
KBGR Saturday afternoon. Chance for overnight valley fog Friday
night. E/SE winds at 5-10 kts.

Saturday night-Sunday: MVFR/IFR in rain showers. Slight chance
for thunderstorms Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. E winds
Saturday night at 5-10 kts, becoming SE on Sunday.

Sunday night-Monday: MVFR/IFR in rain showers. Slight chance for
thunderstorms Sunday night and Monday afternoon. SE winds at
5-10 kts Sunday night, becoming SW on Monday.

&&

.MARINE...
Winds/seas remaining less than 25 kts/5 ft through Saturday,
then a chance (about 20 percent) of winds or seas reaching 25
kts/5 ft Sunday/Monday. Fog likely the next few nights. Rain
moves in Saturday, with a chance for thunderstorms on Sunday and
Monday.

&&

.CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...Dense Fog Advisory until 7 AM EDT this morning for MEZ011-015-
     016-029-030.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...ASB/JS
AVIATION...ASB/JS