You wake up, look out the window, and see that heavy, flat grey sky that defines January in the Queen City. It looks like... well, it looks like Maine. But honestly, if you’re planning to run errands at the Bangor Mall or take the dog for a quick trek through the City Forest, you’ve gotta look past just the "cloudy" label on your phone's home screen.
Bangor is currently sitting at a crisp 19°F. It’s not that bone-shattering Arctic blast we sometimes get, but with humidity hovering at 81%, that cold has a way of creeping right through a light jacket. There’s a faint 2 mph breeze coming out of the east, though it’s barely enough to move a wind chime.
Basically, it's the kind of morning where the air feels heavy and still, like the atmosphere is holding its breath. And for good reason.
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What’s Actually Coming for the Penobscot Valley
If you’re waiting for the sun to break through, don't hold your breath. We are looking at a high of 30°F today, which is actually pretty manageable for mid-January. However, the real story for bangor maine weather today is the transition happening this afternoon.
The National Weather Service out of Caribou has been tracking a system that's going to turn these grey clouds into something a bit more active. We're looking at an 81% chance of snow during the daytime hours. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the I-95 commute a mess by the time people are heading home from work.
The wind is expected to shift slightly, coming from the southeast at about 3 mph. It’s a lazy wind, but it’s bringing in enough moisture to keep things interesting.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- High Temperature: 30°F
- Low Temperature: 15°F
- Daytime Snow Chance: 81%
- Nighttime Snow Chance: 45%
- Humidity: 88% by the afternoon
Most people get wrong that a "high of 30" means it'll feel warm. With that humidity jumping up to 88%, it’s going to feel damp and raw. That "bone-chilling" sensation Mainers talk about? That’s exactly what this is.
The Evening Shift: Ice, Snow, and Slush
As we move into tonight, the temperature is going to dip down to 15°F. The snow chance drops to 45%, so the "steadier" stuff should taper off, leaving us with just a lingering, cloudy gloom.
Usually, when the temp hits 15 after a day of 30-degree snow, everything that melted or turned to slush on the roads is going to flash-freeze. If you’ve lived here more than a week, you know the drill. Broadway and State Street will turn into skating rinks if the salt trucks don't get a head start.
Honestly, the UV index is a big fat 0. You won't need the sunglasses today. You will, however, need a good pair of waterproof boots because that 81% chance of snow is likely to leave a fresh layer of the white stuff across the Penobscot Valley.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you have to be out and about, here’s the reality of how to handle it.
First, check your washer fluid. Driving in 30-degree snow in Bangor means a lot of grey road spray hitting your windshield. You'll go through a gallon of the orange stuff before you even hit Hermon.
Second, if you’re heading to the waterfront for a walk, dress for the dampness, not just the temperature. A moisture-wicking base layer is your best friend when the humidity is this high.
Lastly, keep an eye on the side streets. While the main drags like Union Street usually get cleared fast, the side hills in the Fairmount area can get slick the second that 81% precip chance turns into actual flakes. Stay safe out there and enjoy the snow—it's what we pay the "Maine tax" for, after all.