CARIBOU, Maine — Parts of northern and western Maine could get up to half a foot of snow by midday Saturday, according to the National Weather Service’s Caribou office.
The weather service has issued a winter weather advisory for northwest Aroostook County and northern Piscataquis County, effective through noon.
Affected Aroostook County cities and towns include Allagash, Clayton Lake, Madawaska, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren and Mars Hill.
Baxter State Park, Chamberlain Lake, Churchill Dam and Mount Katahdin are among the affected Piscataquis County spots.
Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected, however, forecasters say that amounts may vary widely along the Route 1 corridor. The highest amounts likely will be seen in the high terrains west of Route 11.
Rainfall on Friday was expected to transition to snow late in the day and spread west during the evening, the weather service predicted.
Forecasters said motorists should expect hazardous driving conditions Friday night as periods of heavier snow could reduce visibility and result in slick roads.
Meanwhile, the weather service’s Gray office warned that accumulating snowfall was likely for Maine’s mountains through late Friday night into Saturday.
Three to 5 inches were expected, with higher amounts possible across high terrain.
Affected areas include northern Franklin and central Somerset counties, including the towns of Coburn Gore, Rangeley, Kingfield, Bingham and Jackman.