A major winter storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions to parts of coastal Maine beginning Monday morning, with heavy snow and strong winds impacting much of the state into early Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has upgraded coastal Hancock and Washington counties to a blizzard warning from 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Forecasters expect 7 to 12 inches of snow, with winds gusting up to 50 mph. The strongest winds and heaviest snowfall — at rates of up to 1 inch per hour — are expected Monday afternoon and evening.
Travel in those areas could be very difficult, with widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions, according to the weather service.
A winter storm warning remains in effect from 10 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday for southern Penobscot, interior Hancock, central Washington and northern Washington counties, including Bangor.
Snow totals of 5 to 11 inches are expected, with the highest amounts east of Bangor. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
Farther north and west, a winter weather advisory is in effect for southern Piscataquis, southeast Aroostook and central Penobscot counties, where 4 to 6 inches of snow are forecast, along with gusts up to 40 mph.
Northern Penobscot County is also under a winter weather advisory, with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected and wind gusts up to 45 mph.