It’s not even officially winter in Maine but you wouldn’t know it by how cold it is outside.
Southern Maine typically averages a daytime high of 42 degrees through early-December and 35 degrees through the back half of the month.
Arctic temperatures arrived on Thursday evening thanks to a disruption in the polar vortex and according to Maine Public, this arctic blanket could envelop the state for weeks.
What is the Polar Vortex?
While some believe the polar vortex is a buzz word that meteorologists use to make people nervous about the weather, the polar vortex is a very real thing.
It’s a year-round circulation of cool or cold air that essentially serves as a wall that keeps arctic air contained. When there is a disruption in the polar vortex, arctic air escapes the wall and can permeate large portions of Canada and the United States.
Maine has already gotten a small taste of it with bitterly cold temperatures for a pair of days last week. A lot more is likely to come.
The Polar Vortex Disruptions Are Expected To Continue For Weeks
With the first day of winter set to arrive this week, there will be no easing into the season for the people of Maine.
Instead, polar vortex disruptions are expected to continue throughout the month of December pushing frigid arctic air into the state. It also opens Maine up for additional snow events that would have typically been rain had normal temperatures been in place.
Expect temperatures (especially overnight) to be between 5-10 degrees below normal over the next couple of weeks.
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Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka