The National Weather Service has downgraded the winter storm watch issued Friday afternoon to a winter weather advisory issued Saturday morning. The downgrade means the weather service does not expect snowfall totals to exceed 6 inches during the event, which is now forecast to begin with snow or mixed precipitation Saturday afternoon and continue through the overnight hours into Sunday morning.
Nevertheless, the current storm should bring the first measurable snowfall of the season to Lincoln County, with totals of 3-5 inches now forecast.
The system, presently tracking up the East Coast and into the Gulf of Maine, has been a tricky one for forecasters. Initially, some forecasters indicated significant snowfall, then changed their estimates to a trace or less for the Lincoln County area. It wasn’t until Friday morning that forecasters began to trend toward more snowfall accumulation, until that trend reversed Saturday morning.
The offshore system continues to follow an unsteady track, with any deviation possibly bringing more, or less, snowfall to the area. Temperatures hovering right around the freeze mark during the storm will also affect the precipitation type, especially on Lincoln County peninsulas – so while mixed precipitation is not presently forecast, it is still a possibility.
Winds are not forecast to exceed single-digit velocities, so are not expected to be a factor during this event.
The winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. On the brighter side, there is the possibility of sunshine Sunday afternoon when the storm moves out of Lincoln County.
