{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.fb8c7ef4a8e15b48819bc2a845fa6813c714e73b.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Special Weather Statement issued May 16 at 3:19AM EDT by NWS Gray ME","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-05-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.fb8c7ef4a8e15b48819bc2a845fa6813c714e73b.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Gray ME"},"word_count":303,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Special Weather Statement: Special Weather Statement issued May 16 at 3:19AM EDT by NWS Gray ME\n\n**Severity:** Moderate\n**Certainty:** Observed\n**Urgency:** Expected\n**Areas:** Northern Oxford; Northern Franklin; Central Somerset; Southern Oxford; Southern Franklin; Southern Somerset; Interior York; Central Interior Cumberland; Androscoggin; Kennebec; Interior Waldo; Coastal York; Coastal Cumberland; Sagadahoc; Lincoln; Knox; Coastal Waldo; Interior Cumberland Highlands; Northern Coos; Southern Coos; Northern Grafton; Northern Carroll; Southern Grafton; Southern Carroll; Sullivan; Merrimack; Belknap; Strafford; Cheshire; Eastern Hillsborough; Interior Rockingham; Coastal Rockingham; Western And Central Hillsborough\n**Issued by:** NWS Gray ME\n**Sent:** 2026-05-16T03:19:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-05-16T03:19:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-05-16T20:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\n* The warm air temperatures this weekend in the 70s may cause people\nto underestimate the dangers of the cold water temperatures, which\nare currently only in the 40s across Sebago Lake, Lake\nWinnipesaukee, and in the region's smaller lakes and rivers.\n\n* The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to\nanyone immersed in the water. According to the US Coast Guard,\nwhen the water temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of\nimmediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high.\nAnyone on small boats, canoes, or kayaks should plan accordingly\nif recreating this weekend and use extreme caution to avoid this\nthreat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life\njacket!\n\n* Breezy winds are also expected this weekend with gusts up to 20-25\nmph from the southwest today and 25 to 35 mph out of the west on\nSunday. If boating on large bodies of water, these strong winds\ncan increase the likelihood of overturning your boat, canoe, or\nkayak due to increased wave heights.\n\n* Due to rain, area rivers continue to run fast with swift water\ncurrents. The swift water can easily overturn a kayak or canoe into\nthe frigid river waters. Once in the cold water, the strong\ncurrents will make it difficult to reach safety."}