CARIBOU, Maine — The National Weather Service issued a scary winter storm watch on Halloween night warning residents of the possibility for up to a foot of snow falling over parts of Maine this weekend.
“A strengthening coastal storm will bring snow mixed with rain at times along with very strong winds to central and eastern Maine,” the NWS stated in the winter storm watch issued at about 4 p.m. Friday. The watch is in effect from Saturday evening through late Sunday night.
The forecast indicated that the first wave of precipitation would arrive as rain late Saturday, changing over to snow that night and continuing into Sunday.
The snow, accompanied by strong winds, could be heavy at times Sunday in parts of Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, according to the weather service.
“The snow will likely mix with rain and even some sleet at times over Washington and Hancock counties. Storm totals of 7 to 12 inches of snow are likely by Sunday night away from the immediate coast,” states the storm watch.
The snow and winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts of up to 45 miles per hour are expected to create very difficult travel conditions Saturday evening through Sunday. The wet, heavy snow also may cause power outages, the weather service warns.
Depending on how the storm tracks, the rest of the state could see light accumulations of snow or mostly rain.
