My dog, Reeses, is a great indicator of air temperature. When I take him out I get different levels of urgency based on the conditions.
Over 50 F-SLOW. Saunter around a bit, sniff every bush in a 10 block radius, make sure another dog hasn't even considered marking his favorite iron fence down the street. Oh, and if we have time, let's grab some gelato.
30-50 F: Some urgency but no big deal. Probably skip the 10 block tour and replace it with a quick neighborhood patrol.
10-29 F: Not digging the overall situation. He understands why he has to go outside, but would rather I build him a heated greenroom for this purpose. Either way, he won't waste time outside pouting.
Under 10 F: "Why, evil parent, would you even bring me outside in such life threatening conditions?" He shivers. He stares. He tries to run back to the door. Either way, he won't be peeing. He is a disgrace to the fact that he was bred to survive the cold winters of Germany (Dachshund).
Anyhow, it's been COLD lately, but conditions will improve rapidly tonight and tomorrow.
That's the good news, the bad news is that the warm up will be associated with a storm that will bring us some mixed precipitation.
For the remainder of today look for mostly sunny skies will chilly temperatures. Most of the state will make it into the low 20s, but the mountains will stay in the teens all day. Clouds will start spreading into western and southern Maine by late in the afternoon, but otherwise it will be bright.
Tonight starts out partly cloudy but turns mostly cloudy by midnight in response to the approaching storm system. Temperatures will stay pretty steady when compared to Monday's highs...that's because of a strong southwest flow that will be pumping in some warmer air. Despite this warmer flow, look for some light snow and sleet to break out in the early morning hours over southern and central Maine. I don't expect this precipitation to be very heavy due to the fact that it's out ahead of the low pressure system itself. That being said, it could still be a bit slippery in spots late tonight/early tomorrow morning.
There should be a brief lull in the precipitation between 10 AM and 3 PM as the warm front approaches the state. During this lull look for mostly cloudy conditions but very little in the way of moisture. By the time the second wave of precipitation moves in, warmer air should start streaming in pretty rapidly in response to the frontal passage. That means that sleet will be likely at first but eventually plain rain will win out in all but northern Maine and the mountains. (Accumulations in those regions could be 1-3"...but closer to the coast will see just a dusting of sleet and snow).
Coastal rain showers will continue Tuesday night while snow showers persist over northern Maine. Eventually the entire system clears out by Wednesday morning.
Wednesday should be mostly sunny and pleasant with temperatures topping out around freezing.
At that point an arctic front swings through Wednesday night and temperatures fall off a cliff. Look for lots of readings below zero by early Thursday morning.
Our next chance of snow is on Friday, but that should be light in nature.
Big picture, our pattern stays chilly and active for the next 7 days.
Bigger picture. Watch the end of this Family Guy clip. I am totally THAT guy.
See ya!