The National Weather Service expects a winter storm to arrive Wednesday morning in Maine and continue through Thursday morning.  What this means to you depends on where you are.

If you live in central, western Maine…

• The NWS has issued a winter storm watch from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning for central Maine.
• A watch means there is a potential for significant accumulations of snow or mixed precipitation. 
• That could mean 6 inches or more of snow, and sleet could accumulate.
• The snow is expected to start Wednesday morning and transition to a mix of snow, sleet and rain.
• Rain more likely near the coast. 
• Northeast winds are expected to range from 10 mph to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
• This watch includes the cities of Bridgton, Auburn, Lewiston, Livermore Falls, Augusta, Waterville, Winterport, Unity, Bath, Topsham, Sanford, Berwick, North Windham, Gorham, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, Waldoboro, Camden, Rockland, Thomaston, Belfast and Lincolnville.

If you live farther north….

• It’s going to be worse. Because NWS is calling it a warning, it means that severe winter conditions are expected.
• The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Wednesday through noon Thursday.
• Snow will start falling Wednesday morning and become heavy in the afternoon and evening. 
• A bit of sleet can be mixed in. 
• The snow will be lighter into Thursday morning.
• As much as 10 to 20 inches is expected to accumulate. 
• Northeast winds will range from 15 mph to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
• This warning area includes Andover, Roxbury, Upton, Wilsons Mills, Coburn Gore, Rangeley, Kingfield, Bingham, Jackman, Rumford, Norway, Fryeburg, Oxford, Farmington, Wilton, Madison, Skowhegan and Pittsfield. 

Power to the people

“The wet snow forecast for Thursday could build up on tree limbs, power lines, and roadways. Combined with gusty winds, this could result in power interruptions and difficult travel, so we’re getting crews, equipment, and materials in place to respond,” Central Maine Power spokeswoman Gail Rice wrote in a statement.

• CMP urges customers to call 1-800-696-1000 if they lose power.
• If you have power but just want to see who doesn’t, CMP lists current power outages.
• Bangor Hydro maintains a power outage map.

CMP has a guide for staying safe and warm if the power goes out. It includes tips such as:

• Put flashlights and battery-powered radios with fresh batteries in an easy-to-find place.
• Keep candles, lamps and matches with the flashlights.
• Have fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, baking soda and heavy blankets ready.
• Store drinking water in extra bottles or plastic containers.
• Keep water in pails and other containers.
• Stock up on canned and dried foods. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
• Make plans for emergency heating and cooking.
• Put extra blankets and your warm clothes where they can be found easily.

Don’t travel

The NWS expects this storm to make travel hazardous:

• Mixed precipitation will make roads slippery.
• Visibility could be limited to a quarter mile or less at times.
• 511 Maine: The Maine Department of Transportation publishes road conditions from around the state.

 What else this affects

• Lewiston has a parking ban from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.
• Lisbon has a parking ban from 8 a.m. Wednesday to midnight Thursday.

Check WGME’s Closings and Delays page for more cancellations and postponements.

Check SunJournal.com for coverage of the storm throughout the day.

What else you need to know

• Hypothermia prevention tips: Information from the Maine CDC.
• Winter safety and awareness information from the National Weather Service.
• The Maine Emergency Management Association has a collection of winter preparation resources. 

Got storm photos?

Share your photos with the SunJournal.com. We will post photos that show how Mainers are dealing with the storm. 

• Email photos to storm@sunjournal.com
• Tweet photos with the #mestorm hashtag
• Post photos on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/SunJournal 

Is this so bad?

Whether you love or hate this winter, we want to know how you feel. Share your thoughts on this classic Maine winter. Contact Mark LaFlamme at mlaflamme@sunjournal.com.

Mixed precipitation is keeping Troopers busy chasing crashes. This rollover @ I-95 MM 297. Reduce speed, use caution. pic.twitter.com/Wyx17LQUj9

— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) March 11, 2014