More unsettled weather is expected for Lincoln County as a major storm chugs up the coast and settles into the area for the rest of the week. The most intensive weather for this event will arrive Tuesday afternoon and into the overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service, when high winds combined with either heavy rainfall or wet snowfall could mean another round of power outages for the area.
The NWS has issued two alerts for Lincoln County, a Wind Advisory and a Flood Watch. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the NWS for areas surrounding Lincoln County.
Central Maine Power was already making preparations Monday for the possibility of outages in the coming days. Utility trucks are fueled and equipped, and personnel are holding pre-storm planning sessions to discuss staffing levels and finalize storm-response plans, according to CMP.
“We’ve put our storm response plan into motion, and we’re watching the forecast closely,” said CMP spokesperson Gail Rice. “Heavy, wet snow from this storm could build up on roadways, tree limbs, and power lines. These conditions could cause power interruptions and difficult travel, so we’re getting crews, equipment, and materials in place to respond.”
Rice added that, “high winds along the coast are also a concern.” Wind gusts from the northeast up to 50 mph are forecast for Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours, according to NWS.
The utility is checking the availability of contract crews to assist local crews if the storm causes widespread damage, according to CMP, and is also keeping the Maine Emergency Management Agency informed on preparation efforts.
The leading edge of the storm is forecast to arrive Tuesday afternoon (although there may be a short period of passing light snowfall or icy rain in the early morning hours), according to the NWS. The afternoon precipitation may start as snowfall or sleet, but is forecast to transition over to rain before nightfall, according to the NWS.
The Wind Advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, while the Flood Watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, according to the NWS.
The possibility of more precipitation continues through Friday, although temps are forecast to stay above the freeze line during that period, making for the welcome probability that any precipitation will come as rain… Not snow, or ice.
