A tow truck driver comes to the aid a car that got in an accident on Forest Avenue on Friday morning. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
A winter storm Friday is expected to drop up to 10 inches of light, blowing snow in southern Maine, but meteorologists say it’s a “one-dimensional” storm.
Snowfall started just after 5 a.m. Friday and is expected to continue into the early evening, peaking in the late afternoon, according to Donald Dumont, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray.
The storm will be at its heaviest between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., so drivers should take it slow on their morning and evening commutes, Dumont said.
“The roads are cold, and it’s cold snow, so it’s mostly blowing off the roads,” he said.
The weather service issued a winter storm warning in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday. Snow is expected to be light and cold, with no mixed precipitation or ice.
The service is not anticipating major impacts to power lines. As of 10 a.m., only a handful of power outages had been reported by Central Maine Power and Versant Power.
Several flights in and out of the Portland International Jetport were canceled or delayed Friday morning because of the storm.
Snowfall was forecast to be heaviest along the coast of southern Maine, with up to 10 inches expected. Totals will taper off further north and inland, with the Augusta area receiving roughly 6 to 8 inches, Dumont said. Conditions should clear up in the early evening.
Winds will blow between 10 and 15 miles per hour, and there is no coastal flooding expected.
Temperatures will be in the high teens and low 20s for most of the day. Saturday will be sunny and warmer, topping out around 30 degrees, ideal for cleaning up.
“It’s a simple little storm,” Dumont said.
All state offices are closed Friday because of the weather, Gov. Janet Mills announced.
“I encourage all Maine people to drive carefully if you have to be on the roads and please be sure to give plenty of space to road crews and first responders as they work to keep us safe,” Mills said in a statement.
Portland City Hall and all its city buildings were set to remain closed Friday. South Portland City Hall was also closed.
A citywide parking ban in Portland will be in effect from 10 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday.
Friday’s storm followed record-high temperatures on Wednesday, with Portland’s temperature reaching a balmy 66 degrees.
This story will be updated.
February 25, 2022 at 08:10PM
https://www.pressherald.com/2022/02/25/simple-little-storm-will-be-heaviest-during-morning-evening-commutes/
'Simple little storm' will be heaviest during morning, evening commutes - Press Herald
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