HOULTON, Maine — A winter storm could put a damper on some New Year’s celebrations, according to forecasters.
Tony Mignone, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Caribou, said Monday that Aroostook County will be the hardest hit by the storm, which could bring 6 to 8 inches to some parts of the region. A low pressure system will move in from the west late Monday night and track across Maine on Tuesday morning.
The precipitation will start as snow, but will mix with sleet and freezing rain from Houlton and Greenville south during the day Tuesday. The storm will be followed by some blowing and drifting snow across the north through Tuesday, according to the winter storm warning posted on the NWS website.
“The accumulation will depend on where you live,” Mignone said. “The most snow will be in Caribou and Presque Isle, as well as southwest to the Katahdin region. They could see up to eight inches there.”
The farther south you go, he said, the lesser the impact. He said that Bangor will see an inch or less of snow, while the coast will receive mostly rain.
Caribou has picked up 19 inches of snow thus far in December, which is 3.1 inches below normal, according to the NWS.
Several Aroostook County residents reacted with a mix of dismay and disinterest to news of the impending storm Monday.
“It really wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve without the potential for snow,” said Kara Fletcher of Houlton. “It seems like every year ends with a storm that threatens to cancel parties or threatens travel. It is tradition by now.”
She said she and her husband have plans to attend a party in Presque Isle Monday evening and were not going to change them due to the weather.
“We’re used to it,” she said.
Mark Hannington of Presque Isle said that the weather was making him reconsider plans to travel to Portland to visit relatives Tuesday.
“I have lived here all of my life, but I still hate driving in snow and ice,” he said. “I might consider either just going another day or maybe waiting until later Tuesday. But I have to be back to work on Wednesday, so I would need to leave early in order to be back up here and rested.”
