A storm that was supposed to swing south of Lincoln County on Fri. defied forecasters and chugged through the area leaving 2-5 inches of snow on the ground, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). And, another storm is just around the corner, forecast to bring snowfall totals in the double digits beginning Sun. afternoon, according to the NWS.
On Fri., the surprise snowfall broke a record for the date in Portland, leaving 6.5 inches of accumulation, according to the NWS. The original forecast regarding the storm was for several inches to a dusting for Lincoln County, with most of the heavy snowfall piling up on points south. However, radar images monitored on intellicast.com at 10:30 p.m. on Fri. showed Lincoln County just north of center in a very active system.
With the arrival of snowflakes during the Fri. evening commute, there were numerous minor traffic accidents, but no major incidents have been reported at the time of this posting. A structure fire in Pittsfield just north of Lincoln County shut down Rt. 27 in the evening hours due to road icing from water used to extinguish the blaze, according to the Maine State Police. Firefighters from Whitefield assisted in knocking the fire down. Rt. 27 has since reopened, according to reports.
Meanwhile on Fri. afternoon, the NWS issued a notably early Winter Weather Advisory regarding a storm expected to bring snowfall and high winds to Lincoln County beginning Sun. afternoon and continuing through Sun. night. The Winter Weather Advisory was later upgraded Fri. night at 8:22 p.m. to a Winter Storm Watch, and then further upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning on Sat. at 3:28 p.m.
A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather conditions are imminent. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Sun. at 1 p.m. through Mon. at 7 a.m., according to the NWS.
The NWS warning calls for heavy snow with a total of 10-16 inches of new snow accumulation on Sun night. High winds with a sustained velocity of 20-30 mph from the east-northeast are forecast to accompany the Sun. storm, blowing the fresh snowfall about and reducing visibility, according to the NWS.
The Sun. storm will be produced by two low fronts that are now tracking in from the west, one with plenty of moisture from the south and the other with plenty of cold air from the north. The southern low will arrive first – just in time to set up off the mid-Atlantic coast on Sun. afternoon and begin tracking north. The two fronts will then merge together early Sun. morning to create one humdinger of a weather system and continue to track north toward Lincoln County – arriving with plenty of cold air, moisture, and high winds.
The NWS recommends that any travel during the snow storm should be restricted to emergencies, and that motorists venturing into the weather should carry an emergency supply of blankets, water, food and a flashlight. Cell phone users should check to ensure that their phone is fully charged before traveling.
Yet another storm is looming in the forecast that may affect travel conditions on Christmas Eve.
The Lincoln County News website will continue to monitor the progress of these storms and post any additional information here as soon as it becomes available.