The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued several alerts for what forecasters have described as a “dangerous winter storm” expected to blast through Lincoln County beginning Thurs. afternoon.
Both a Winter Storm Watch and a Coastal Flood Watch are in effect.
The Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Thurs. afternoon through Fri. afternoon, and will follow a period of unsettled weather that began with snowfall and frigid cold on Tues. and then developed into record-breaking high temps and heavy rainfall on Weds. This striking contrast is one of the reasons that forecasters have said conditions are right for a significant ice storm with the approaching weather system.
However, while forecasters agree that there is a 100% chance of precipitation, they also agree that the storm track is still too variable to accurately predict whether that precipitation will arrive as snow, ice or sleet — and which areas will be hardest hit.
“The exact track of this coastal storm remains uncertain and will ultimately determine where the most significant icing and snowfall will occur,” the NWS advises, adding, “It is likely that travel conditions will become difficult by late Thurs. afternoon or early evening.”
If the possibility of severe winter weather becomes imminent, the NWS will upgrade the Winter Storm Watch into a Winter Storm Warning.
The Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for Fri. morning when the full moon and storm surge are forecast to create the possibility of hazardous high tide conditions. High tide in Wiscasset is forecast for 10:09 a.m. at a height of 11.8 feet, according to maineharbors.com. The storm surge could add another foot of height to that tide, according to the NWS.
The Lincoln County News website will continue to monitor the progress of this storm and post additional information here as soon as it becomes available.
