FIRST ALERT Tonight: Arctic Air Arrives With Dangerous Wind Chills

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - It is turning cold and windy in the wake of an Arctic front. Dangerous wind chill values are forecast overnight, and because of this, we have issued a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY through midmorning Friday.

Skies will continue to clear tonight as an area of high pressure approaches the region. This will tighten the pressure gradient resulting in northwesterly gusts that will range from 30-40 mph. Areas of blowing snow will be possible leading to diminished visibility and even some slippery roads. Overnight lows will be in the single digits on either side of 0° with some of the coldest spots expected to be across the mountains and northern Maine.

When you factor in the cold with the gusty winds, you get wind chill values, so what it FEELS like, that will range from -10° to -30°.

A Cold Weather Advisory has already been issued for our far northern counties where the coldest wind chill values are expected. When wind chill values are this cold, frostbit on exposed skin can occur in less than 30 minutes. If you have plans on being out tonight, do dress accordingly.

A FRIGID start to Friday. Dangerous wind chills and temperatures above and below zero to start the day. Winds will weaken through the morning with only a slight breeze by the afternoon. Temperatures will climb into the teens and low 20s but with the slight breeze, it will FEEL like the single digits and teens. Expect a bit more sunshine on Friday. Friday night will be another cold night, not as cold as tonight; lows will drop into the single digits away from the coast with a few sub-zero temperatures in the County. Winds will be light, so wind chill values are not of a concern.

The Arctic air moves on out for the weekend, good news there! Saturday will have more clouds than sun with a few light snow showers possible. Along the coast, a couple of scattered rain/snow showers will be possible. Highs will range from the mid 20s to the low 30s. Sunday looks like the pick of the weekend as it will be brighter and warmer. Highs will range from the upper 20s to the mid 30s.

Cold air does return by early next week. Lows Sunday night and again Monday night will be back down into the single digits with a few sub-zero spots possible. The wind will not be a concern, so wind chill values will not be as extreme. Highs both Monday and Tuesday will be in the teens and 20s. Temperatures back close to freezing are forecast for Wednesday. Also expect a few light chances of snow early next week.

TONIGHT: FIRST ALERT. Cold lows in the single digits above and below 0°. Dangerous wind chill values from -10° to -30° as winds out of the NW will gust to 40 mph.

FRIDAY: Wind chill values from -10° to -30° in the morning. Improving throughout the day. Partly cloudy with highs in the teens and 20s. WNW winds 10-20 mph.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with a few light snow showers. Highs in the 20s and low 30s. South wind 5-10 mph.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. Highs in the teens and 20s.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny with highs in the 20s.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snow showers possible. Highs in the 20s and low to mid 30s.