The first significant snowstorm of the season is expected to move into Maine on Tuesday morning, with forecasters warning Monday that driving conditions could be dangerous.

The storm is expected drop about 3 to 6 inches of snow along Maine’s coast, but inland areas could get 8 inches or more by late Tuesday night. During the afternoon, snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour.

“The evening commute (Tuesday) could be potentially dangerous,” said Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gray.

Snowfall rates will intensify through Tuesday afternoon, approaching an inch per hour during the evening commute, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service has issued a winter storm warning for Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, Kennebec and Waldo counties, as well as the southern portions of Oxford, Franklin and Somerset counties. The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday.

The winter storm warning says falling and blowing snow may drop visibility below a quarter mile, creating dangerous driving conditions.

When snow falls at a rate of an inch an hour, it can be very difficult to see the road, especially if plows are struggling to keep up, Palmer said.

The snowfall should benefit winter sports activities in the mountains, Palmer said. The snow will be wettest and heaviest along the immediate coast.

The snow is expected to wrap up overnight Tuesday as the coastal low moves offshore, Palmer said.

“Things will clear out pretty quickly, and we’ll wake up to mostly clear or partly cloudy skies Wednesday morning,” he said.

CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS

Gov. Janet Mills announced Monday that state offices will close at noon Tuesday because of the storm.

“This is Maine’s first major winter storm of the season, and we want to ensure that people stay safe,” Mills said in a written statement. “Please use caution if you must travel, make sure your emergency supplies at home and in the car are stocked for the winter, and check in on your neighbors — especially older folks — who may need a hand.”

Superintendents in southern and central Maine school districts said Monday that they were largely waiting until Monday night or early Tuesday to make calls about whether to cancel school because of the storm.

By Monday afternoon, MSAD 61 — the district that covers Casco, Naples and Bridgton — had announced it will be closed Tuesday. Other early school cancellations include the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District, RSU 4 (Wales, Sabattus, Litchfield), Mackworth Island Preschool and MBH Glickman Lauder Center School.

The University of Southern Maine campuses in Gorham and Portland will be closed Tuesday, as are the University of New England campuses in Portland and Biddeford. Southern Maine Community College is closing its campus in South Portland and canceling online classes.

Portland city officials are reminding residents to watch for parking bans and to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their properties.

The city’s Department of Public Works is ready for winter operations, according to director Mike Murray.

“The forecast currently predicts we will be getting our first snow event (Tuesday) and as such we are preparing to ensure the city’s streets are clear and safe,” he said in a statement Monday.

This winter, Portland residents face higher fees for failing to move vehicles during a storm parking ban. The City Council recently raised the fee to $130 in an effort to improve compliance with winter plow operations.

Several communities had already announced parking bans as of Monday, including Bath, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Lisbon, Old Orchard Beach, Rockland, Sanford, South Portland, Windham and Yarmouth.

In Lewiston-Auburn, Citylink transportation has been canceled for Tuesday.

Central Maine Power, the state’s largest utility, said it is stationing extra crews at its service centers across Maine.

“Storm response and preparedness at CMP is critical, which is why we work year-round to continuously improve our readiness,” CMP President and CEO Linda Ball said in a written statement Monday.

The U.S. Postal Service is asking Mainers to keep walkways, sidewalks and approaches to mailboxes clear of snow and ice so carriers can safely deliver the mail. Carriers are not allowed to attempt door delivery when there is a heavy buildup of snow or ice on sidewalks, steps or porches, according to the postal service.

In neighboring New Hampshire — also expected to see major impacts from the storm — the Department of Transportation on Sunday invited residents to submit names for its second annual name-a-plow competition. Last winner’s top name was Ctrl-Salt-Delete. This season’s winners will be announced in January.

Staff Writer Drew Johnson contributed to this report, which also contains material from The Associated Press.