HOULTON, Maine — Residents of Aroostook County and other parts of Maine are bracing for another winter storm that could dump up to 9 inches of snow on parts of the region Monday night into Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Caribou has issued a winter storm warning for northeast and southeast Aroostook, northern Piscataquis County and northern Penobscot County from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for northeast and southeast Aroostook County, northern Penobscot County, and northern, southern and central Piscataquis County from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Heavy snow is expected with some sleet possible, mainly along the Route 1 corridor from Houlton to Caribou. That area could receive between five and nine inches of snow, and sleet accumulations of around one quarter of an inch, according to the weather service.
In the St. John Valley toward the Canadian border, where the hazardous weather outlook is posted, snow will move into the area Tuesday morning. The heaviest snow will likely affect areas to the east of an Allagash to Clayton Lake line with lighter snowfall possible back to the west. Accumulation is expected to be slighter lower in this area, with up to 5 inches forecast for Madawaska and Fort Kent, and 3 inches expected near Clayton Lake.
Throughout The County Monday, several residents said that they were preparing for the storm.
“I was a bit stupid during the last storm and didn’t have my snowblower quite ready,” said Morris Henderson of Presque Isle. “So it was really coming down hard and I was out there in the cold struggling, trying to get my shield on so I could get a little protection from the cold and wind. Once I heard about this yesterday, I went out and got the machine all gased up and ready.”
Michele Hagan of Houlton said that she already has a babysitter on standby just in case school is canceled.
“My children are always rooting for school to be closed,” she said, laughing. “They don’t realize the inconvenience that can be on parents, of course. It is hard finding another adult to watch them who isn’t working, too.”
The snow will taper off late on Tuesday evening, according to forecasters.
