CARIBOU, Maine — Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Caribou said Tuesday that a wind chill advisory will be in effect from late tonight until Wednesday morning for some parts of the state.
The rapid decline in temperatures also will usher in a cold spell expected to last right through the weekend, according to Tim Duda, meteorologist for the Caribou weather service.
The advisory will impact Aroostook, northern Somerset, northern and central Piscataquis and northern Penobscot counties.
Duda said that the “very cold” wind chills that are expected will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes if skin is left exposed. Wind chills are expected to range from 15 below zero to 35 degrees below zero.
That will bring low temperatures across the northern part of Maine to anywhere between 5 and 10 degrees below zero, and the thermometer could drop to zero degrees to 5 degrees above zero in downeast Maine.
High temperatures in the north are not expected to get above zero degrees, according to Duda. Highs in downeast Maine are expected to be zero degrees to 10 degrees above zero.
“Tomorrow night will be even colder than it is expected to be tonight,” he said. “Temperatures could dip to 10 degrees to 20 degrees below zero across the north, and 5 to 10 degrees below zero in the downeast part of the state.
After the sun sets, wind gusts reaching 30 mph could make the air feel as cold as 30 degrees below zero, he added. Duda said that this is the coldest air mass passing through the state this winter.
“We advise people to keep their pets inside,” he said Tuesday.
