What has changed: All remaining watches have been replaced with Winter Storm Warnings. Snowfall intensity is expected pick up earlier across the north with the morning commute now expected to be impacted with moderate to heavy snow. This will create hazardous driving conditions for the Wednesday morning commute, lingering into the evening across the north. Conditions will improve Downeast and the Bangor Region for the evening commute.
Overview: Winter Storm Warnings are in effect. A developing coastal low will spread snow over the region Tuesday night along with strong easterly coastal winds. The low will continue to push north through the day on Wednesday bringing widespread snow with a wintry mix likely for the Bangor Region and Downeast during the day on Wednesday. Precipitation could change over to a brief period of plain rain on the immediate coast before the event ends Wednesday evening. Widespread snow will taper off to snow showers across the north Wednesday night with all precipitation ending Downeast Wednesday night.
Confidence: Confidence is above average for warning level snowfall (>7″) across the Central Highlands and Northern Maine for this storm. Snowfall amount forecast confidence is lower for the Bangor region and Downeast due the possibility of mixed precipitation lowering snowfall totals. This will all depend on the exact track of the coastal surface low and there is still enough spread in solutions to pin-point the mixed precipitation line.
Impacts: The biggest impact for this storm will be travel impacts during the day on Wednesday. The storm will be near peak intensity for Wednesday morning commute in the Bangor and Downeast region with peak storm intensity across Northern Maine during the afternoon commute. In addition to the snow, mixed precipitation is likely for the Bangor region and Downeast. Even though this will lower snowfall amounts, it could make for more hazardous travel conditions on Wednesday. Minor impacts are also possible on the coast due to strong easterly winds Tuesday night into Wednesday leading to the possibility of isolated power outages.
Snow and Blowing Snow: Please see attached graphic for snowfall ranges. Blowing snow impacts will be moderate across the north where it will stay all snow with an east to northeast winds. Further south blowing snow impacts will be limited Downeast due to the mixed precipitation, but there will be a period Wednesday morning before the mixed precipitation starts.
Ice: minor glaze possible on Wednesday.
Wind: Easterly winds of 25 to 40 mph on the immediate coast. Winds will be 20 to 25 mph further inland out of the east during the day on Wednesday.
Marine: Gale warning for Tuesday night into Wednesday. Waves will be building above 10 feet for the outer coastal waters.
Expect a morning email update or full-up brief package depending on severity of potential impacts.
For additional detailed information, please visit www.weather.gov/car/winter
