‘Heavy, wet slop’ expected across Maine

Highest totals for this storm in the mountains, and high totals as well for areas just a few miles inland of the coast. Still a big question mark on exact totals in central Maine, but a few inches are likely at least. WGME graphic

LEWISTON — If you’re a snow lover, rejoice. If you’re wary of the coming storm then heave a long sigh and dig out your boots and shovels because this could be a messy one.

“The main forecast idea of a heavy, wet slop that could bring power outages, cause dangerous travel on the roads, along with potential cardiac arrest trying to shovel it, continues for the coastal interior on up south of the mountains,” offers Mike Haggett of Pine Tree Weather.

How much slop are we talking? It depends on where you are and who you ask — some mountainous regions in western Maine could be looking at 10 to 18 inches of wet, cumbersome snow, according to Haggett. Other areas are expected to see somewhere between 3 and 6 inches of snow, or rain, or a mix of the two.

“The mountains are on track for a decent snow,” Haggett predicts. “The closer to the coast, the more rain comes into play, and plenty of it … It’s a tricky call for Lewiston, Augusta and Bangor. I think Portland is mainly rain with this storm with just a narrow window for a few flakes early Friday morning.

The National Weather Service in Gray has it slightly different. They’re calling for roughly 15 inches of snow in the mountains, somewhere in the area of a foot in Central Maine and between a half-inch and 6 inches along the coast.

Snow is expected to begin across New Hampshire late Thursday night and then across western Maine overnight.

Whichever way it plays out, the storm is not expected to be a brief affair. The storm, accompanied by high wind gusts at times, is expected to grind on into late Saturday night. Haggett has deemed it a “long duration event.”

Most cities and towns have already announced parking bans from Friday morning until Saturday night.

Another sign that winter is upon us? Central Maine Power preparing for the worst — the company announced Thursday that it will schedule and stage field crews as forecasts indicate the potential for outages in various areas.

“This storm may bring heavy wet snow that loads up limbs and power lines and gusty winds that can bring trees and limbs down onto lines and utility poles. If the storm creates power outages we are prepared,” said Kerri Therriault, senior director, Electric Operations. “In addition to our own 200 lineworkers we have 166 contractor lineworkers and 120 tree crews on deck to restore power.”

Late Thursday afternoon, Gov. Janet Mills directed the early closure of all State of Maine offices on Friday.

“Maine Emergency Management Agency is working closely with the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and Maine’s utility providers to track and prepare for this storm,” Mills wrote in a news release. “With heavy snow likely to accumulate in the afternoon and lead to hazardous driving conditions, I encourage Maine people to stay safe and to be sure to give plenty of room to road crews and first responders as they work to protect us.”

At local grocery stores late Thursday afternoon, aisles were jammed full and lines were long as shoppers prepared for the worst. One Auburn man referred to Hannaford as “obnoxiously crowded” while a Lewiston woman declared Shaw’s “a zoo.”

“Glad I don’t do frozen pizza,” said Lisa LaFontaine Lothrop, of Auburn, “because that was certainly one wiped out section of freezer cases.”

Some were excited to see snow so close to the holidays and they hoped it would stick around.

“Christmas isn’t Christmas in Maine without snow,” declared Ann Marie Perkins.

Most people were keeping things in proper perspective given that snow in mid-December isn’t exactly a rarity.

“It’s Maine,” said Del Roy of Lewiston. “Everyone has a little panic about the first storm and then it’s old news. I heard someone grumbling about having to go home and boil water because the store had sold out.”

At Pine Tree Weather, Haggett acknowledged that there is bust potential for the storm in some areas. Much of the forecast depends on whether colder air allows for more snow instead of rain. As storms go, the first significant one of the season appears to be a fickle and unpredictable beast.

“This will be very interesting to watch unfold,” Haggett said.