Keep that shovel handy.

On Friday, forecasts were calling for a whopper of a storm to begin late Sunday and continue through Monday.

“This definitely is a northeaster, the most powerful we’ve seen in a few years,” said Channel 13 meteorologist Charlie Lopresti.

Because the storm was several days away, the forecast could change, and it’s unclear how the storm will play out. But it’s expected to have a significant impact on Maine. The storm will start as snow. Inland areas, including Lewiston-Auburn and western Maine, could get a lot, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Hayes.

In the mountains, snow “will be measured in the feet,” Lopresti said.

As the storm continues, snow is expected to change to heavy rain, especially along the coast.

There’ll also be strong winds of up to 50 miles per hour, which could mean power outages.

Both meteorologists warn of flooding, coastal and river. Intense snow, then rain, could contribute to snow melt that would swell rivers. Along the coast, Lopresti said he’s concerned about flooding Monday when a 10:41 a.m. high tide will get boosted by the storm.

Hayes and Lopresti recommended that Mainers continue to monitor forecasts and plan accordingly.

Having this many storms in April is highly unusual and could break records, both said.

“Spring? No such thing,” Lopresti said.

The April snow record for Portland was set in 1906 at 21 inches. As of April 13, Portland has had 14.7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. “This storm could put us over that record,” Hayes said.

Bob Belz, who’s been Auburn’s Public Works Director for 27 years, agreed this year’s April weather isn’t normal.

It’s not uncommon to have two or three inches of snow, but six inches or more is rare, he said. “This is the first year I remember two major storms and prediction for a third in April.”

On Friday, his crews were getting ready in case the storm is as powerful as predicted.

April plowing is different than January plowing, Belz said. Now the sun is warmer and the snow melts quicker. That’s good.

But the roads are thawing and are soft. That’s bad.

“The plowing is difficult,” Belz said. The side of the roads are muddy. If plows get off the pavement “the trucks sink right in.”

Thursday’s storm wasn’t too bad, but the April 5 storm was tough with plows getting stuck. “The commercial wreckers we rely on were busy with tractor-trailer jobs on the turnpike,” he said.

When crews plow in April, they’re instructed not to plow too widely so lawns don’t get damaged, Belz said.

His plow operators “are good troopers and will do what they need to do, but everyone’s getting tired of this,” Belz said. “We’re getting geared up, thinking about spring cleaning.”

Like many, Carol Keith was also trying to think spring.

The downtown Lewiston Subway manager grimaced when asked about Sunday’s forecast. She’s put away her shovel and her snowmobile gear.

“Everybody’s looking forward to boating and fishing and golfing,” Keith said. “I’ve talked to people this week and they said, ‘I’ve had enough.'” She has too. “I’m ready for fishing.”

If the storm does materialize at least there won’t be school cancellations Monday. Students will be on April vacation.