Most of southern and central Maine is about to get hammered with back to back snow storms, though the first weather system that moves across the state should not be all that bad.

Eric Sinsabaugh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that Tuesday’s storm should be manageable with the city of Portland expected to get between one and three inches of light, fluffy snow.

“We’ll get a short break Tuesday night,” Sinsabaugh said.

But, on Wednesday, conditions will change dramatically around daybreak.

Snow will start to fall in the Portland area between 7 and 9 a.m. and will intensify throughout the day, he said.

It won’t stop snowing until midnight or possibly later. By the time it’s over, the storm will have dropped at least one foot of snow, and possibly more.

“Most places in southern Maine will get at least one foot of snow,” Sinsabaugh said.

However, Sinsabaugh said some areas of the state will receive up to 18 inches of snow. It will also be very cold Wednesday, with temperatures reaching the mid-teens.

On the plus side, the snow that falls on Wednesday will be light and fluffy, with little chance for freezing rain or sleet. Winds will be moderate, reaching speeds of 10 to 20 miles per hour.

Sinsabaugh said the storm will move into New England from the Ohio Valley. It will take nearly half the day Thursday before the clouds dissipate. There is a chance of partly sunny skies in the afternoon.

Aroostook County will probably see the least amount of snow from this storm, with estimates ranging between one and three inches.

Portland got 29.1 inches of snow in January, exceeding the normal average of 20.5 inches. Since July, Portland has received 42.3 inches of snow, with the average for the season being 37.4 inches.

       

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