RUMFORD — Spring’s on the way, packing its usual one-two punch of a sudden warm-up and heavy rains this weekend.

A slow-moving storm system coming from the west and bearing waves of low pressure is the culprit.

State and weather officials are closely monitoring streams and rivers for potential ice jams and flooding, meteorologist Erich Schwibs of the National Weather Service in Gray said early Friday afternoon.

“Right now, the issue’s going to be the track of the system,” he said.

Saturday’s temperatures will range from the lower 30s to 40s. During the day on Sunday, they’ll warm into the 40s to low 50s, he said.

Heavy rain could start late in the day on Sunday and will continue into Monday across southern and coastal areas.

Colder air will drop in on the backside of the storm on Monday, changing rain into snow, decreasing any potential flooding, he said.

“So with the warm temperatures and the potential for heavy rainfall — several inches of rain are possible — and with snow melt, there is the potential for issues along the rivers as we head into Monday,” Schwibs said.

Right now, the conservative estimate is for 1 to 2 inches of rain, he said.

“The question is, does the cold air come in on Monday so any rain goes into snow?” he asked. “It’s something we’re going to have to watch very closely over the weekend.”

The storm could cause street flooding at a minimum and also bring heavy snowfall to the mountains and northern areas, Lynette Miller, spokesperson for the Maine River Flow Advisory Commission in Augusta, said Thursday in a report.

This weekend “is sort of the unofficial start to flood season,” Miller said Friday. “It usually coincides with the first week in March.”

“All Mainers should monitor National Weather Service forecasts closely, as it is not clear how much precipitation this storm will produce, and what the balance of snow and rain will be,” service hydrologist Tom Hawley in Gray said in the report.

“Much of the state has from 6 to 9 inches of water in the snow pack, according to this week’s cooperative snow survey.

There is a little less water in southern and far northern sections.

River ice is in the normal to below-normal range statewide, Greg Stewart of the U.S. Geological Survey in Augusta said.

Across Maine, stream flows are at normal levels as reservoirs in the headwaters of the state’s rivers are now being drawn down for runoff from spring rains, Hawley said.

“Everyone should stay aware of current forecasts,” Rob McAleer, director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency and co-chair of the commission, said Thursday in Augusta.

“We’ll be watching this weekend storm closely. Too much rain and a rapid warm-up could create problems for us, even though the snow pack can absorb a good deal of rain.”

He said residents and business owners should also monitor local conditions closely, and check their flood insurance coverage if they live or have business in flood-prone areas.

“Most home and business owners’ policies do not cover flood damages, and there is 30-day waiting period before a new policy goes into effect,” McAleer said. “The time to check your insurance is now.”

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link