Richard Norton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Caribou, said this morning that wind gusts in the Caribou area will peak at 40 miles an hour, while those living along the coast of Maine will “probably see gusts around 50 to 60 miles per hour.”
Depending on the storm’s trajectory, it may end with freezing rain in Aroostook County. According to Norton, this could actually improve Friday driving conditions.
“The freezing rain could put a sheet of ice on the snow that keeps it in place,” Norton said. “Otherwise the winds could blow the snow from one side of the road to the other.”
As of Thursday, Dec. 29 at 9:50 a.m., forecasts show the storm coming between the border of Maine and New Brunswick. The Caribou forecaster says “any deviation” could change the outcome of the storm to include rain, adding that “right now we’re expecting all snow here.”
While power outages are a possibility, Norton says it’s “not much of a threat with the trees being bare.”
“I think any outages we have in Aroostook County would be pretty brief,” the forecaster said. “We’re looking at wind gusts in the 35 to 40 mile per hour range.”
National Weather Service advisories recommend that driving be avoided during the upcoming storm, since whiteouts are very likely.
“If you have to be out during the storm, then be careful,” Norton said. “Slow down, and turn on your blinkers if the wind and snow is blowing really hard, as it will help the person behind you see better.”
