CARIBOU, Maine — County residents dealt with over 10 inches of snow over the past week, and will likely need to get their shovels ready for another storm this week.
The first storm, which hit on Dec. 29 and 30, mostly occurred at night, and dumped a total of 11.2 inches of snow on Caribou.
According to National Weather Service forecaster Chris Norcross, snow totals in specific cities and towns were generally proportional to their latitude in Aroostook County. Houlton, located in southern Aroostook, received 8.5 inches while Frenchville, near the Canadian border, received reports of 18 inches. Fort Kent, another northern town, received 15 inches while Madawaska received a total of 12.
A second storm hit the county on New Year’s Day and, while the overall totals were not as high, Norcross said the accumulation was heavier in southern Aroostook.
“Houlton received about two to three inches of snow,” said Norcross, “Caribou had reports of 1 to 2 inches, and the St. John Valley area received about an inch or less. There was some slight variability, but that was the general trend.”
While Caribou had been receiving light snow since about 1 p.m. yesterday, National Weather Service forecaster Francis Kredensor says the storm would hit hard later that evening.
“The snow will be mild to moderate this afternoon, and the heavier snow may not start until about 9 or 10 p.m.,” Kredensor said Jan. 3.
As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Kredensor predicted the storm would bring an approximate total of seven to eight inches of snow to Caribou. Areas north of Caribou may receive more snow, while the region south of Caribou could get significantly less snow mixed with sleet or freezing rain.
“Right now, we have about 10 inches predicted for Madawaska and Fort Kent,” Kredensor said. “We have four inches predicted for Houlton, but we’re also expecting a fairly prolonged period of sleet in that area.”
Kredensor said the storm would likely wind down (Wednesday morning) with “some scattered or lingering showers by 11 a.m.,” adding that there was a possibility of light showers in the afternoon.
As far as driving conditions are concerned, Kredensor said Wednesday morning is “definitely a concern.”
“With the possibility of mixed precipitation types in southern Aroostook, we may see some sleet in (Caribou), but it is very likely in the Houlton area,” Kredensor said. “Roads in the southern part of the County could be a bit of a mess, and the northern parts of Aroostook will have more snow, which could also be tough to keep up with.”
