CARIBOU, Maine — Parts of Aroostook County could see up to a foot of snow from a two-part snow event starting Tuesday and lasting through Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Caribou.
A winter storm watch remains in effect through late Wednesday night for all of Aroostook and northern Penobscot counties. Light snow was initially forecast Tuesday, but meteorologists issued a special statement at about 11 a.m. that heavy snow of possibly an inch or 2 per hour would be moving through a large area of northern Penobscot and Aroostook counties, affecting communities from Medway to Fort Kent, and including Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou.
The weather service statement warns motorists about reduced visibility and the possibility of slick roads, including on Interstate 95 between mile markers 240 and 304, and on U.S. Route 1 between Danforth and Fort Kent.
“Slow down and allow extra time when traveling,” the NWS says in the statement.
Snowfall is expected to increase again in the evening, with accumulations of between eight and 11 inches expected, according to the weather service.
The most snow is expected in northern Maine, particularly around Presque Isle and Caribou, where 13 inches could fall by the end of the day Wednesday.
The winter storms come on the heels of a New Year’s Day one that brought double digit snowfall to some parts of The County.
Since Dec. 1, 31.3 inches of snow has fallen in the Caribou area, which is 2.7 inches above the normal amount of 28.6 inches. Since July 1, 2018, 51.8 inches of snow has fallen in that part of Aroostook, which is 16.7. inches above the normal amount.
Hilary Harris, a Caribou resident, said Tuesday that she was not worried about the snow despite having to drive to Auburn for a meeting Wednesday.
“It seems like it is going to be spread out over a long period,” she said. “It is actually kind of unique, if you ask me. Usually, you get slammed with the snow all at once. It is rarely like a multi-day event.”
Down East will be spared much of the accumulation, with only 1 to 2 inches expected along the immediate coast and up to 6 inches inland toward Calais, according to the weather service. Southern Maine also is not expected to see much snow and ice.
