Alert archive / Maine / Winter Storm Warnings in 2008

Winter Storm Warning 13, NWS Gray, ME

December 20, 20088 counties in New Hampshire; 11 counties in Maine

NWS Gray, ME issued this winter storm warning at Dec 20, 2008, 3:28 PM EST for 8 counties in New Hampshire; 11 counties in Maine. It took effect at Dec 21, 2008, 9:00 AM EST. It was in force for 18 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 20, 2008, 3:28 PM EST (20:28 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 21, 2008, 9:00 AM EST
Expired
Dec 22, 2008, 3:21 AM EST
In force
18 hr
Issued by
NWS Gray, ME

Counties Androscoggin County, ME, Cumberland County, ME, Franklin County, ME, Kennebec County, ME, Knox County, ME, Lincoln County, ME, Oxford County, ME, Sagadahoc County, ME, Somerset County, ME, Waldo County, ME, York County, ME, Belknap County, NH, Carroll County, NH, Coos County, NH, Grafton County, NH, Merrimack County, NH, Rockingham County, NH, Strafford County, NH, Sullivan County, NH

The radar

The Portland,ME radar (KGYX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Gray, ME (KGYX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 31 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Gray, ME at 12:00Z on 2008-12-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Gray, ME at 12:00Z on 2008-12-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 224 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
772 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
86 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
224 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
267 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WWUS41 KGYX 202028
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
328 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...ANOTHER SNOWSTORM WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION SUNDAY AND
SUNDAY NIGHT...

.LOW PRESSURE WILL APPROACH FROM THE MIDWEST ON SUNDAY. A SECOND
LOW WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE MID ATLANTIC COAST AND DEEPEN AS IT
TRACKS TO THE GULF OF MAINE LATE SUNDAY. THIS STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL
EXIT INTO THE MARITIMES EARLY MONDAY AND BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY
COLD NORTHWEST FLOW.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-210430-
/O.UPG.KGYX.WS.A.0014.081221T1400Z-081222T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1400Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
328 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 5 AM EST
MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 5
AM EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

LOOK FOR 10 TO 16 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW REDUCING
VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A MILE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-210430-
/O.UPG.KGYX.WS.A.0014.081221T1800Z-081222T1000Z/
/O.NEW.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1800Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
328 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM EST
MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7
AM EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

LOOK FOR 10 TO 16 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW REDUCING
VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A MILE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.


$$
6 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 210319
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1019 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...ANOTHER SNOWSTORM WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION SUNDAY AND
SUNDAY NIGHT...

.LOW PRESSURE WILL APPROACH FROM THE MIDWEST TOMORROW. A SECOND LOW WILL
DEVELOP ALONG THE MID ATLANTIC COAST AND DEEPEN AS IT TRACKS TO
THE GULF OF MAINE LATE TOMORROW. THIS STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL EXIT
INTO THE MARITIMES EARLY MONDAY AND BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-211130-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1400Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
1019 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO
5 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 5 AM
EST MONDAY. 

LOOK FOR 10 TO 16 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW REDUCING
VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A MILE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-211130-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1800Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
1019 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO
7 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM
EST MONDAY. 

LOOK FOR 10 TO 16 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW REDUCING
VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN A MILE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 210926
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
426 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION TODAY AND
TONIGHT...

.A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL HIT THE REGION WITH HEAVY SNOW AND
STRONG WINDS TODAY AND TONIGHT AS LOW PRESSURE OVER THE MIDWEST
REDEVELOPS OFF THE MID ATLANTIC COAST THIS MORNING...THEN
INTENSIFIES RAPIDLY AS IT HEADS NORTHEAST UP THE COAST THIS
AFTERNOON AND INTO THE MARITIMES TONIGHT. 

THE SNOW MAY MIX WITH SLEET ALONG THE COAST...OTHERWISE EXPECT
HEAVY SNOW TO BLANKET THE REGION WITH OVER A FOOT OF SNOW IN MANY
AREAS. INCREASING NORTHEAST WINDS AHEAD OF THE LOW TODAY AND
STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE LOW TONIGHT WILL CREATE
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

UNNECESSARY TRAVEL SHOULD BE AVOIDED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...DRIVE
WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. BRING ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT TO INCLUDE EXTRA
WARM CLOTHING AND FOOD IN CASE YOU GET STRANDED.

STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS ON OPEN AND
ELEVATED HIGHWAYS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL HAMPER SNOW
REMOVAL EFFORTS AND MAY CREATE DEEP DRIFTS ON UNPLOWED ROADS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-211730-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1400Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
426 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING
TO 5 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING
TO 5 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 20 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-211730-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1800Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
426 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO 7 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON
TO 7 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 20 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 211528
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1028 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION TODAY AND
TONIGHT...

.A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL HIT THE REGION WITH HEAVY SNOW AND
STRONG WINDS TODAY AND TONIGHT AS LOW PRESSURE OVER THE MIDWEST
REDEVELOPS OFF THE MID ATLANTIC COAST THIS MORNING...THEN
INTENSIFIES RAPIDLY AS IT HEADS NORTHEAST UP THE COAST THIS
AFTERNOON AND INTO THE MARITIMES TONIGHT.

THE SNOW MAY MIX WITH SLEET ALONG THE COAST...OTHERWISE EXPECT
HEAVY SNOW TO BLANKET THE REGION WITH OVER A FOOT OF SNOW IN MANY
AREAS. INCREASING NORTHEAST WINDS AHEAD OF THE LOW TODAY AND
STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE LOW TONIGHT WILL CREATE
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

UNNECESSARY TRAVEL SHOULD BE AVOIDED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...DRIVE
WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. BRING ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT TO INCLUDE EXTRA
WARM CLOTHING AND FOOD IN CASE YOU GET STRANDED.

STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS ON OPEN AND
ELEVATED HIGHWAYS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL HAMPER SNOW
REMOVAL EFFORTS AND MAY CREATE DEEP DRIFTS ON UNPLOWED ROADS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-212330-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
1028 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 20 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-212330-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.081221T1800Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
1028 AM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 20 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 212019
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
319 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION
TONIGHT...

.A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE REGION WITH HEAVY
SNOW AND STRONG WINDS INTO TONIGHT AS LOW PRESSURE INTENSIFIES
RAPIDLY AS IT HEADS NORTHEAST TO OFF THE MAINE COAST THIS EVENING
AND THEN INTO THE MARITIMES BY MONDAY MORNING.

EXPECT HEAVY SNOW TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE REGION WITH OVER A FOOT
OF SNOW IN MANY AREAS. INCREASING NORTHEAST WINDS AHEAD OF THE LOW
THIS EVENING AND STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE LOW LATER
TONIGHT WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. NEAR
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN
AREAS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

UNNECESSARY TRAVEL SHOULD BE AVOIDED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...DRIVE
WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. BRING ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT TO INCLUDE EXTRA
WARM CLOTHING AND FOOD IN CASE YOU GET STRANDED.

STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS ON OPEN AND
ELEVATED HIGHWAYS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL HAMPER SNOW
REMOVAL EFFORTS AND MAY CREATE DEEP DRIFTS ON UNPLOWED ROADS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-220430-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
319 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 10 TO 18 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-220430-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
319 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY. 

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 10 TO 18 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 220239
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
939 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE ENTIRE REGION
INTO THE OVERNIGHT...

.EXPECT HEAVY SNOW TO CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION WITH OVER A
FOOT OF SNOW ALREADY BEING REPORTED IN MANY AREAS. NORTHEAST
WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW. LATER
TONIGHT WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE NORTHWEST AND WILL CREATE
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BITTERLY COLD
NORTHWEST FLOW ON MONDAY.

UNNECESSARY TRAVEL SHOULD BE AVOIDED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...DRIVE
WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. BRING ALONG A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT TO INCLUDE EXTRA
WARM CLOTHING AND FOOD IN CASE YOU GET STRANDED.

STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS ON OPEN AND
ELEVATED HIGHWAYS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL HAMPER SNOW
REMOVAL EFFORTS AND MAY CREATE DEEP DRIFTS ON UNPLOWED ROADS.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-221000-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
939 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST MONDAY. 

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TAPERING OFF FROM WEST TO EAST OVER THE
NEXT 6 HOURS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 10 TO 16
INCHES OVER SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHERN MAINE. OVER THE
MOUNTAINS SNOW TOTALS MAY APPROACH 20 INCHES IN SOME LOCATIONS.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-221045-
/O.CON.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
939 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST MONDAY. 

SNOW WILL BEGIN TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST DURING THE EARLY
MORNING HOURS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 12 TO 20 INCHES.
CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
CAN BE EXPECTED.

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST
THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD... AND WATER IN
YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

POHL
000 
WWUS41 KGYX 220821
WSWGYX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
321 AM EST MON DEC 22 2008

...THE HEAVY SNOW HAS ENDED...BUT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED THIS MORNING...

.THE INTENSE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT BROUGHT THE HEAVY SNOW AND
GUSTY WINDS OVER THE BAY OF FUNDY EARLY THIS MORNING. AS THE STORM
PULLED AWAY...THE STEADIEST AND HEAVIEST SNOW ENDED EARLY THIS
MORNING. WHILE SOME ADDITIONAL LIGHT SNOW OR SNOW SHOWERS ARE
POSSIBLE THIS MORNING...LITTLE IN THE WAY OF ADDITIONAL SNOW IS
EXPECTED. 

GUSTY WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW...ESPECIALLY THIS MORNING ACROSS THE AREA. THE BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW COULD REDUCE VISIBILITIES IN OPEN AREAS THIS
MORNING...AS WELL AS RECOVER SOME ROADS WITH SNOW.

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-220930-
/O.CAN.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1000Z/
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RUMFORD...NORWAY...SOUTH PARIS...
MEXICO...FRYEBURG...OXFORD...NORTH WINDHAM...GORHAM...BRIDGTON...
LEWISTON...AUBURN...BIDDEFORD...SACO...OLD ORCHARD BEACH...
PORTLAND...SOUTH PORTLAND...WESTBROOK...BATH...TOPSHAM...
LITTLETON...NORTH CONWAY...CONWAY...LEBANON...HANOVER...
PLYMOUTH...WOLFEBORO...CLAREMONT...NEWPORT...CONCORD...LACONIA...
TILTON-NORTHFIELD...MEREDITH...ROCHESTER...DOVER...DURHAM...
DERRY...LONDONDERRY...EXETER...PORTSMOUTH...HAMPTON
321 AM EST MON DEC 22 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAY HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
STORM WARNING. 

THE THREAT OF ADDITIONAL HEAVY SNOW HAS ENDED ACROSS THE REGION.
THUS...THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. GUSTY WEST TO 
NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...ESPECIALLY
THIS MORNING ACROSS THE AREA. THE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW COULD
REDUCE VISIBILITIES IN OPEN AREAS THIS MORNING...AS WELL AS
RECOVER SOME ROADS WITH SNOW.

$$

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-220930-
/O.CAN.KGYX.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-081222T1200Z/
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-
LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANDOVER...BYRON...MIDDLE DAM...
ROXBURY...SOUTH ARM...UPTON...WILSONS MILLS...AVON...
CARRABASSETT VALLEY...COBURN GORE...DALLAS...DAVIS...EUSTIS...
KINGFIELD...BINGHAM...FARMINGTON...WILTON...SKOWHEGAN...
PITTSFIELD...MADISON...FAIRFIELD...AUGUSTA...WATERVILLE...
WINSLOW...GARDINER...UNITY...WALDOBORO...BOOTHBAY HARBOR...
WISCASSET...ROCKLAND...CAMDEN...THOMASTON...BELFAST
321 AM EST MON DEC 22 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAY HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
STORM WARNING. 

THE THREAT OF ADDITIONAL HEAVY SNOW HAS ENDED ACROSS THE REGION.
THUS...THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. GUSTY WEST TO 
NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RESULT IN BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...ESPECIALLY
THIS MORNING ACROSS THE AREA. THE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW COULD
REDUCE VISIBILITIES IN OPEN AREAS THIS MORNING...AS WELL AS
RECOVER SOME ROADS WITH SNOW.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Gray, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Dec 20, 3:06 PM EST, 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 20, 3:06 PM EST, 22 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
306 PM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

.SYNOPSIS...
LOW PRESSURE OVER THE GREAT LAKES TONIGHT WILL REDEVELOP OFF THE
MID ATLANTIC COAST SUNDAY MORNING AND THEN RAPIDLY INTENSIFY AS IT
MOVES NORTHEAST INTO THE GULF OF MAINE BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND
INTO THE MARITIMES SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY. HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
ACROSS THE REGION MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY BEFORE THE NEXT
STORM SYSTEM APPROACHES FROM THE MIDWEST ON WEDNESDAY THEN LINGERS
INTO THURSDAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL CREST ACROSS THE REGION FRIDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
QUIET CONDITIONS EXPECTED TONIGHT AHEAD OF THE NEXT SYSTEM...A FEW
LINGERING FLURRIES MAY CONTINUE INTO THE EARLY EVENING OVER
EXTREME SRN AREAS OF NH. BLENDED THE MAV/FWC GUID TEMPS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
WINTER STORM WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ENTIRE FA FOR
SUNDAY THRU SUN NIGHT. ALL MODELS AGREE ON THE SYSTEM MOVING THRU
THE GT LAKES TO TRANSFER ITS ENERGY TO A COASTAL LOW THAT WILL
TAKE SHAPE RAPIDLY OFF THE MID ATLANTIC COAST BY SUN MORNING AND
THEN RAPIDLY INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES NEWD ALONG A VERY TIGHT
BAROCLINIC ZONE PROVIDING PLENTY OF UVV AND QPF OVER THE ENTIRE FA
SUN AFTN/NIGHT. WINDS WILL INCREASE WITH THIS SYSTEM CAUSING
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW TO DEVELOP ALSO REDUCING VSBYS FURTHER
DURING THE AFTERNOON AND THRU SUN NIGHT. A BRIEF MIX OF SLEET MAY
OCCUR ALONG SRN CSTL AREAS AS SOME MID LEVEL WAA TRIES TO MAKE ITS
WAY TO THE COAST LATE IN THE AFTN...ANY MIX WILL BE BRIEF THO AS
HEIGHTS COME CRASHING DOWN BY EVENING. MOST AREAS FROM THIS SYSTEM SHOULD
SEE AROUND 1 FOOT OF SNOW AND POSSIBLY MORE BASED ON THE HIGH
AMOUNTS OF QPF THAT WILL BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM. TEMPS
WERE LOWERED A FEW DEGS FOR SUNDAY.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
STRONG NORTHERLY GRADIENT ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE DEPARTING STORM
WILL KEEP GUSTY WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW. SNOW SHOWERS MAINLY FOR
THE MOUNTAINS AS DOWNSLOPING KEEPS SOUTHERN AREAS OTHERWISE DRY.
CONTINUED COLD WITH HIGHS IN THE TEENS AND 20S. WINDS WILL
CONTINUE TO DIMINISH MONDAY NIGHT AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS EAST AND
CRESTS OVER THE REGION ON TUESDAY. THIS WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO
DROP BELOW ZERO IN THE MOUNTAINS AND SINGLE NUMBERS SOUTH. CLOUDS
START MOVING BACK IN TUESDAY NIGHT AS THE HIGH MOVES OFFSHORE. THE
NEXT SYSTEM WILL MAINLY BE A COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE. MOUNTAINS GET
MORE SNOW WEDNESDAY. MILD AIR WILL BE DRIVEN NORTHWARD ON BRISK SOUTHERLY
WINDS AND PUSH TEMPERATURES TO THE MID 30S TO LOWER 40S. SO
SOUTHERN AREAS WILL SEE MAINLY RAIN...ESPECIALLY FOR THE COAST.
HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS NORTH OF THE REGION BUT MOUNTAIN SNOW
SHOWERS WILL LINGER ON THURSDAY. A QUICK NEARLY ZONAL FLOW ALOFT
WILL BRING SOME QUICK MOVING SYSTEMS WITH SHOWER ACTIVITY FOR
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...VFR CONDS EXPECTED TONIGHT BUT
CONDITIONS TO BECOME IFR ACROSS SRN ME/NH SUN MORNING AND THEN
OVERSPREAD THE REST OF THE AREA BY AFTERNOON. CONDITIONS TO BE
LIFR DURING THE AFTN/EVENING ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG WINDS AND
BLOWING SNOW.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
MVFR CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND VFR SOUTH BUT VISIBILITY
COULD BE REDUCED AT TIMES IN BLOWING SNOW. MAINLY VFR FOR
TUE...DETERIORATING AHEAD OF AND WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD
FRONT WEDNESDAY.

&&

.MARINE...
SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...WINDS AND SEAS WILL CONTINUE IN THE
SCA RANGE TONIGHT. WILL CONTINUE STORM WARNINGS FOR SUNDAY AFTN
DUE TO FORWARD SPEED AND INTENSIFICATION OF APPROACHING COASTAL
LOW PROVIDING A RAPIDLY TIGHTENING PRES GRADIENT WHICH SHOULD
BRING WINDS GUSTING INTO THE 50+ RANGE. AS THE CENTER OF THE LOW
PASSES LATER SUN NIGHT STRONG WNWLY WINDS WITH STRONG CAA WILL
PROVIDE WINDS JUST AS STRONG IN THE STORMS WAKE SO STORM WARNINGS
TO CONTINUE THRU 12Z MON. FREEZING SPRAY WHICH MAY BECOME HVY WILL
ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE STORMS WAKE FOR MARINERS DUE TO ARCTIC
AIR TO MOVE OVER THE WATERS WITH THE STRONG WINDS LATER SUN NIGHT.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
WINDS GRADUALLY DIMINISH BUT STILL AT GALE FORCE MONDAY...AND
LIKELY TO SCA FOR MONDAY NIGHT. SCA MAY BE NEEDED AGAIN TUESDAY
NIGHT AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT WHICH WILL CONTINUE WEDNESDAY.

&&

.GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ME...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 5 AM EST MONDAY FOR
     MEZ012-018>020-023>025.
     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY FOR
     MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028.
NH...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 9 AM SUNDAY TO 5 AM EST MONDAY FOR
     NHZ001>010-013-014.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR ANZ151-
     153.
     STORM WARNING FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY FOR
     ANZ150>154.
     SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 AM EST SUNDAY FOR ANZ150-152-154.

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 20, 10:36 AM EST, 4 hours 52 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1036 AM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

MEZ012-018>020-023>025-NHZ001>010-013-014-211545-
SOUTHERN OXFORD-INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-ANDROSCOGGIN-
COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-NORTHERN COOS-
SOUTHERN COOS-NORTHERN GRAFTON-NORTHERN CARROLL-SOUTHERN GRAFTON-
SOUTHERN CARROLL-SULLIVAN-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-
INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-
1036 AM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MAINE...CENTRAL NEW
HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.  SPOTTERS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO CALL OR RADIO IN THEIR REPORTS.

MEZ007>009-013-014-021-022-026>028-211545-
NORTHERN OXFORD-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-CENTRAL SOMERSET-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-
SOUTHERN SOMERSET-KENNEBEC-INTERIOR WALDO-LINCOLN-KNOX-COASTAL WALDO-
1036 AM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MAINE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.  SPOTTERS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO CALL OR RADIO IN THEIR REPORTS.

ANZ150>154-211545-
STONINGTON ME TO PORT CLYDE ME OUT TO 25 NM-PENOBSCOT BAY-
PORT CLYDE ME TO CAPE ELIZABETH ME OUT TO 25 NM-CASCO BAY-
CAPE ELIZABETH ME TO MERRIMACK RIVER MA OUT TO 25 NM-
1036 AM EST SAT DEC 20 2008

...STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CASCO BAY...PENOBSCOT
BAY...THE COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE ELIZABETH ME TO MERRIMACK RIVER
MA...THE COASTAL WATERS FROM PORT CLYDE ME TO CAPE ELIZABETH ME AND
THE COASTAL WATERS FROM STONINGTON ME TO PORT CLYDE ME.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.  SPOTTERS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO CALL OR RADIO IN THEIR REPORTS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Gray, ME issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 20, 3:35 AM ESTStorm WatchGYX12 hr
Dec 20, 3:18 PM ESTStorm WarningGYX43 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Maine, 2008Winter Storm Warnings in New Hampshire, 2008Every winter storm warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.