Never Before Used Weather Warning Could Be Issued in Maine Next Week

Considering meteorologists have been issuing weather forecasts for well over a century, you probably think that nearly any kind of weather alert possible has been issued.

In the past, we have seen blizzard warnings, hurricane warnings, tornado warnings, thunderstorm warnings, and wind chill warnings, to name just a few.

However, early next week, it is possible that Maine could see the issuing of a brand new warning.

Goodbye Wind Chill Watches and Wind Chill Warnings

For decades, the National Weather Service had issued watches and warnings for windchill.  The idea behind windchill watches and warnings was that a strong wind against objects (like your exposed skin) could make cold temperatures feel even colder.

In October 2024, in an effort to simplify winter weather forecasts, windchill was exchanged for extreme cold.

The National Weather Service website explains:

• Wind Chill Watches will be renamed to an Extreme Cold Watch

• Wind Chill Warnings will be renamed to an Extreme Cold Warning

• Wind Chill Advisory will be renamed a Cold Weather Advisory

It does make sense.  Unless you are a real weather nerd it does not matter to you why it is cold, just that it is cold.

Extreme Cold Watches & Extreme Cold Warnings in Maine

So far, neither of these warnings have been issued in Maine.  Not that we know of, at least.  Given the fact that the first part of next week is going to be brutally cold, there is a chance that we could see it used for the first time in the next few days.

In Augusta, the National Weather Service is calling for high temperatures on Monday to be in the upper teens.  The lower temperatures on Monday night are going to be below zero.  Yeah, it's going to be cold!

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Clearly, if you need to be out in the cold weather, please take the necessary precautions.