A spring storm with heavy, wet snow caused highway accidents and power outages Friday, but Maine escaped without too much accumulation, according to weather officials.
The hills of western and southern Maine received 1 to 3 inches of snow. Other areas received little more than a coating, said Justin Arnott, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray.
“Snow in April is not out of the question, but it usually melts in a day and warms back up,” Arnott said. “If you’re not a fan of snow, it could be a lot worse.”
Some areas of New Hampshire received up to a foot, he said.
Wind gusts exceeded 40 miles per hour at times from Portland south across York County.
Precipitation was expected to continue through Friday night with temperatures in the mid-20s to the mid-30s. Splash-over and beach erosion were possible during high tides.
Central Maine Power Co. was reporting 478 outages late Friday evening, with 269 customers without power in Franklin County, 85 in Cumberland County and 81 in Penobscot County.
Cooler temperatures will continue into the weekend with temperatures in the 40s and low 50s, but spring temperatures should be back by Monday and Tuesday.
Wet roads contributed to nine vehicle crashes Friday, including three between 5 and 6 a.m because of hydroplaning, according to Maine State Police.
There were no injuries.
Several lanes of the Maine Turnpike were closed early Friday morning after a 15-passenger van hydroplaned and crashed into the guardrail at mile 15 southbound in Ogunquit.
Police say the van’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire. The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, escaped injury. That crash was reported to police at 5:52 a.m.
A 15-passenger van hydroplaned and crashed into the guardrail near Ogunquit on the Maine Turnpike early Friday morning. The vehicle’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire. Maine State Police
The other two morning crashes were reported at miles 13 and 51, according to police.
Police issued a reminder to drivers to reduce speeds and make sure their tires are in good condition to avoid hydroplaning, which can reduce a driver’s ability to stop or steer.
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