Storm Updates: State police urge caution as vehicles slide off roadways

UPDATED 12:56 PM — Maine state police warn that road conditions are slick and want motorists slow down. Better yet, stay home.

A look at conditions on the Interstate in Palmyra right now. Troopers are responding to crashes and slide offs from Bangor to Portland. If you have to be on the roads drive slow and give crews the space they need to work safely. pic.twitter.com/0BsPF4WRky

— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) January 23, 2023

This most recent slide off is on the Falmouth Spur. If you have to drive remember to greatly reduce your speed and give enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to prevent crashes. pic.twitter.com/SKvjYsElPa

— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) January 23, 2023

UPDATED 11:15 A.M. — Local snowfall amounts reported this morning by the National Weather Service:

Androscoggin County

Turner: 5.5 inches

W Lisbon Falls: 5.3 inches

E Lewiston: 5 inches

Lisbon: 5 inches

Auburn: 4.7 inches

SE Poland: 4.6 inches

Livermore Falls: 4.5 inches

N Lisbon: 2.1 inches

Franklin County

E New Sharon: 6.9 inches

New Sharon NW: 6.3 inches

SW New Vineyard: 5.5 inches

NNW Farmington: 5.5 inches

Farmington N: 5.4 inches

Temple W: 5.3 inches

NW Rangeley: 4 inches

SSE Rangeley: 2.8 inches

Rangeley: 2.5 inches

Oxford County

Hartford N: 6.8 inches

Hartford: 6.5 inches

E Hartford: 6.3 inches

Andover W: 6.0 inches

Bethel SSE: 5.5 inches

Oxford SW: 5.1 inches

Measurements were taken before 8 a.m.

Here is a current look at our office in Gray ME! Heavy snow bands will continue at times through this afternoon, please travel with caution. #MEwx #NHwx pic.twitter.com/QdzYP4kgXV

— NWS Gray (@NWSGray) January 23, 2023

UPDATED 10:11 A.M. — CMP is reporting about 26,000 power outages across the state. At least 24,000 of them in York County. Most of the outages are from snow-covered limbs and trees taking down power lines.

CMP is currently responding to outages, the bulk of which were caused by snow covered limbs and fallen trees in York and Cumberland counties. Our crews are working with Maine Emergency Management Agencies now to clear blocked roads and to restore power to our customers.

— Central Maine Power (@cmpco) January 23, 2023

UPDATED 8:37 A.M. — Lewiston and Auburn city governments are closed Monday.

Lewiston, Maine at 830AM — HVY snow!! ?❄️? pic.twitter.com/6aWnkrZzEi

— Maines Abominable SnowBART (@MESNOWman1) January 23, 2023

UPDATED 8:23 A.M. — Central Maine Power has reported at least 19,000 power outages so far — mostly in York County. The Maine State Police has reported vehicles sliding off the Maine Turnpike.

Rain and sleet is mixing in across far southern areas and parts of the immediate coastline, but elsewhere snow continues to fall. Everyone is expected to change back to snow by late morning and the early afternoon, with many locations expected to pick up 8-12 inches from this system. National Weather Service graphic

UPDATED 7:16 A.M. — Citylink bus services in Lewiston and Auburn has been canceled for Monday.

State offices will be closed all day tomorrow, Monday, Jan 23, 2023 due to the winter storm expected to cause difficult travel conditions. @GovJanetMills is strongly urging all to stay off the roads during the storm, if possible. For forecast info follow @NWSGray & @NWSCaribou.

— Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) (@MaineEMA) January 22, 2023