A storm that started late Sunday and lasted into Monday gave southern Maine a blanket of snow for the first time this season.

Forecasts had called for just a few inches, but some areas, such as Bridgton, got almost 8 inches. Portland received 3.8 inches, Biddeford got 2 inches and Bath got 3 inches.

Rain that followed threatened to wipe out much, if not all, of that accumulation.

Still, the storm was good news for ski areas. They not only got ample snow, but also the benefit of having it on the ground where many customers live, encouraging them to head north to the slopes.

Southern Maine received its first snow on Nov. 8, but it didn’t last.

Just as in that storm, motorists drove too fast for Monday’s conditions and slid off roads in communities across southern Maine, though no serious injuries were reported.

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A motorist whose vehicle was broken down on the Maine Turnpike southbound in Gray sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital as a precaution after a vehicle that was going too fast slid into the parked car.

The evening commute was even more slippery in some spots, as freezing drizzle coated some roads.

Police investigated a crash in Windham that injured at least one person, though no more details were available Monday.

Monday’s accumulation of snow wasn’t enough to make Portland declare a parking ban.

Parking bans will likely come after major snowstorms — usually 6 inches or more — and after snow has piled up along roadways.

Residents can receive alerts about parking bans by going to www.ci.portland.me.us.

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Tuesday morning’s commute was expected to be wet, but an improvement over Monday’s driving, at least in southern Maine.

Meteorologists forecast temperatures in the 40s, with snow and sleet turning to rain.

Mike Bobinsky, public services director for Portland, said, “We’ll be focusing on keeping our catch basins open” and keeping streets from flooding.

Wet weather could last into Wednesday, with better conditions arriving Thursday, said Stacie Hanes, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray.

Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

dhench@pressherald.com


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