#MEwx Flood watch now in effect

Flood Watch

National Weather Service Gray ME

3:15 PM EST Wed Dec 21 2022

A strong storm system will bring a warm up with heavy rains and strong winds Friday and Friday night. Widespread flooding is possible given the combination of rainfall and snowmelt. The rain

will fall on frozen ground which will increase runoff and could produce flash flooding. The snowpack along the coastal plains will

be significantly reduced if not completely melted out. For interior and mountain regions, the snowpack will hold but will be reduced and result in some additional runoff. Cold temperatures on the backside of the storm system could cause flooded areas to freeze in place.

 

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FROM HEAVY RAIN AND SNOWMELT.

* WHAT...Flash, urban, and small stream flooding expected from widespread heavy rain and snowmelt.

* WHERE...Portions of Maine, including the following areas, Androscoggin, Central Interior Cumberland, Coastal Cumberland, Coastal Waldo, Coastal York, Interior Cumberland Highlands,

Interior Waldo, Interior York, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc,

Southern Franklin, Southern Oxford and Southern Somerset. Portions

of New Hampshire, including the following areas, Belknap,

Cheshire, Coastal Rockingham, Eastern Hillsborough, Interior

Rockingham, Merrimack, Northern Carroll, Northern Grafton,

Southern Carroll, Southern Grafton, Strafford, Sullivan and

Western And Central Hillsborough.

* WHEN...From Friday morning through Saturday morning. Heavy rain will fall Friday through Friday Night supporting flooding. Any river flooding will likely continue through the weekend.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- A storm system is forecast to bring 1 to 3 inches of rainfall with the potential for locally higher amounts to the watch area. Warm temperatures and heavy rain will support rapid

snowmelt which will add around an inch of additional runoff.

Frozen ground and snow blocked drainage will exasperate flooding conditions. The total combined runoff will cause rapid rises on small streams and creeks which could produce

locally significant flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood

Warnings. Travel in and out of the region could be significantly

disrupted due to flooding. Those living in areas prone to flooding

should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

SJ