A winter storm bearing down on Maine beginning Monday is expected to create blizzard-like conditions across coastal and eastern Maine.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the coast from Portland to Calais, a winter storm warning for inland Maine, and a winter weather advisory for the highlands. Those will remain in effect from 10 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Forecasters have warned that the storm’s greatest impact will be Monday afternoon and evening, when the combination of heavy snow and high winds could create whiteout conditions. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.
“Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes. Isolated power outages are possible,” a weather service advisory reads.
Greater Bangor is forecast to see 6 inches of fresh snow during the storm, with the greatest accumulation expected east of the Queen City, according to the weather service’s office in Caribou.
Ellsworth is expected to see up to 7 inches of snow, Bar Harbor 8 inches, Machias 13 inches and Eastport 11 inches.
The weather service warned that the storm will create blizzard conditions Down East, while Greater Bangor will see near-blizzard conditions.
This storm will largely spare the most northern reaches of the state, with just 3 inches in the forecast for Houlton and Presque Isle, 2 inches in Caribou, and 1 inch in Fort Kent and Van Buren.