Heavy snow covered Maine and weighed heavily on trees Thursday morning. Sun Journal photo

A powerful nor’easter is slamming Maine with heavy snow and strong winds Thursday.

More than 320,000 CMP outages were reported about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. There were more than 38,000 reported in Androscoggin County, less than 700 in Franklin County and more than 22,000 in Oxford County.

Lingering rain and snow from the storm is expected through Saturday.

The worst of the storm with the heaviest snow and strongest winds will be through the early afternoon hours Thursday.

We’ll see gradual improvements through the afternoon as snow lightens up and winds back off.

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Highest totals look to be in western Maine or into the mountains, with up to a foot or more possible along the coast.

 

Snow will continue off and on through Friday morning, turning over to rain by Friday afternoon outside the mountains.

Lingering rain and snow showers will persist all the way through Saturday afternoon.

Maine is still on track to see significant amounts of snow with a foot or more possible even along the coast.

York County, western Maine, and the mountains will likely see the highest totals with 2 feet or more in isolated spots. Otherwise expect a general 12-18 inches for those away from the coast.

WINDS

Winds will gust up to 55 mph through noon along the coast, up to 45 mph inland.

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Power outage numbers will climb rapidly due to the heavy wet snow and wind. Expect multiple days without power due to the widespread nature of outages expected.

FLOODING

While coastal flooding is not expected to be close to January levels, we could see splash over, erosion, and minor coastal flooding around the 7:30 a.m. high tide. Coastal Cumberland and York counties see the highest water levels.

After the storm finally ends on Saturday evening, Sunday will feature clearing skies and a return to milder temps in the mid to upper 40s.

50s and 60s with sunshine next week means the snow will melt quickly.

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