PORTLAND (WGME) — Dangerous cold is on tap for Maine this weekend, followed by the first nor’easter of the new year. Some parts of the state could see over a foot of snow.

Extreme cold warnings and winter storm watches have been posted.

Friday will be breezy and colder. Highs will reach the mid 20s by the afternoon.

Late day snow showers or squalls are possible along the leading edge of the arctic airmass. Keep this in mind for the evening commute.

Arctic air will invade New England Saturday on a stiff northwesterly wind.

The rest of the weekend will be very busy with our first nor’easter on our front doorstep.

Extreme cold on the way for the weekend.{ }Monday Morning

Cold weather headlines have been posted for the beginning of the weekend from the National Weather Service in Gray.

An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for the mountains between 1 AM and 10 AM. A Cold Weather Advisory for the coastline has also been posted for the same time period.

Extreme cold Saturday morning. (WGME)

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Air temperatures on Saturday will have a hard time getting out of the single digits. Wind chills are expected to remain below zero all day.

Feel-like temps will sit near -40 degrees in the mountains with close to -20 degrees at the coast.

Winter storm watch posted for the weekend.{ }(WGME)

A story that has caught most of the country’s attention will be the significant winter storm.

A Winter Storm Watch has been posted for Sunday afternoon through Monday evening for Southern Maine (York County, most of Cumberland County).

Snow across the United States through the weekend.{ }(WGME)

This storm is set to impact around 30 different states. Ice can be expected for the southern U.S.

First look at the snow map for Sunday PM through Monday. (WGME)

A first look at the snow map shows the majority of southern Maine receiving up to or over a foot of snow.

Far southern Maine has the best chance for up to almost a foot and a half. Half foot to foot looks reasonable closer to Central Maine and even north.

Sunday afternoon.{ }(WGME)

Snow will arrive during Sunday afternoon with cold temperatures in place.

Sunday evening commute will turn treacherous very quickly.

All snow and fluffy due to cold temps in place. Power outages at this time will not be likely.

Roads are Monday will be very slippery and slick. Throughout the system, winds will be out of the northeast 10 to 15 MPH. Expect gusts 20 to 30 MPH.

Once again, widespread outages are not expected at this time. Stay tuned for updates through the weekend.

Snow is set to continue all day through early Tuesday morning.

Brighter skies will return Tuesday. Highs will struggle to get out of the teens through mid-week.

Do you have any weather questions? Email our Weather Authority team at weather@wgme.com. We’d love to hear from you!