Rain and warm temperatures were washing away Lewiston’s snow on Friday afternoon. (Sun Journal photo)

A flood watch is in effect for parts of Maine with multiple inches of rain in the forecast Friday and astronomical high tides expected throughout the weekend.

In addition to the soaking rain, warm temperatures is eliminating snow in New England and dashing hopes for a white Christmas.

Mark Bloomer from the National Weather Service told The Associated Press some parts of Maine will see more than 2 inches of rain expected Friday, along with temperatures topping 50 degrees in many places. Even in northern Maine, the temperature will be approaching 50 degrees.

In Portland, city officials warned residents about the forecast. Even without the rain, high tides are expected to exceed 11 feet from Saturday through Tuesday.

“Crews are clearing storm drains to prepare for the heavy rain fall and are prepared to close streets as they become flooded,” the city alert says. “Please make sure to adhere to any streets that are barricaded and do not attempt to drive through flooded streets.”

Portland workers placed barricades near Franklin Street on Friday morning to keep traffic from entering Somerset Street, a low-lying section of Bayside that typically floods when high tides coincide with heavy rains.

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A wind advisory is also in place until the early hours of Saturday. Weather in New York was causing some delays Friday morning, but otherwise, planes appear to be on schedule.

Megan Gray can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

mgray@pressherald.com

Twitter: mainemegan


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