BANGOR, Maine — Light snow that began falling across the state Friday morning intensified by afternoon, dropping more than half a foot of snow in southern and western Maine by Friday evening.
The National Weather Service posted a winter storm warning for the entire state, effective through Saturday morning and early Saturday afternoon, depending on the location.
Friday’s storm came in the wake of a Tuesday blizzard that dumped more than 2 feet of snow in some Maine communities. It was expected to bring between 8 and 14 inches of fresh snow before moving northeast to the Canadian Maritimes.
The new snow coupled with wind gusts up to 45 mph was expected to result in blowing and drifting that could cause reduced visibility and dangerous travel conditions for motorists.
Parts of Maine also were expected to be plunged into a deep freeze, with northern Oxford and Franklin counties under a wind chill advisory calling for temperatures as low as 29 below zero.
With regard to snow accumulations, eastern Aroostook, northern and central Penobscot and most of Washington counties were expected to be the hardest hit, with forecasters predicting 10 to 14 inches of snow by the time the storm blows off to Nova Scotia.
The weather service forecast called for 8 to 12 inches of snow in northwestern Maine down through the central highlands to coastal Hancock County and 6 to 10 inches of snow in southern and western Maine.
As of 8 p.m. Friday, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin and Oxford counties had received about half a foot of snow, while York County saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, according to the weather service’s Gray office. Waterville and Rumford each had 7 inches at that hour.
Meanwhile, the Caribou office posted Aroostook County totals ranging from about 5 inches of snow in Caribou, Ashland and Fort Fairfield to less than 2 inches of snow in Houlton. Somerset County led the way with half a foot of snow in Cornville.
Hancock County had less than 2 inches of snow at that hour, while Penobscot and Piscataquis counties had received 3 to 4 inches of snow.
Because of the weather, more than 300 activities and events were postponed or cancelled on Friday. Parking bans were put into effect through Saturday for several cities and towns, including Bangor and Portland.