A winter storm dumped up to 6 inches of snow across most of southern Maine on Thursday, but did not turn out to be as potent as predicted earlier this week.

Another 1 or 2 inches of snow could fall Thursday night into Friday, but the National Weather Service in Gray said the second round of snow should bring accumulations to an end, at least until early next week.

Stephen Baron, a meteorologist with the weather service, said he has been tracking another winter storm that could arrive late Monday night and last into Tuesday.

“The magnitude of that storm is still uncertain, but we are keeping an eye on that system,” Baron said. “It has the potential to bring another round of plowable snow.”

Thursday’s storm ended in most areas by noon, providing most of the state with a lull that lasted for several hours. Mainers used the break to clear driveways and sidewalks of snow.

Most of the state saw snow accumulations in the 5 to 6 inch range. The weather service reported that Naples received 6.5 inches of snow, Durham 6 inches, Yarmouth 6 inches, Cape Elizabeth 6 inches, Brunswick 5.5 inches, the Portland jetport 4.6 inches, Saco 4.3 inches, Augusta 4 inches, York 3.9 inches, and Farmington 1.5 inches.

Gov. Janet Mills had ordered state offices to close Thursday, and some businesses closed for the day or delayed opening. There were no school delays or closings because schools are on winter vacation this week.

Most flights were on time at the Portland International Jetport on Thursday morning, but the Maine Turnpike Authority had reduced the speed limit to 45 mph for the entire 109-mile length of the highway because of the weather.

Some towns and cities issued on-street parking bans for Thursday night to allow public works crews to clear roads. In Portland, a citywide parking ban will run from 10 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. Vehicles left on city streets can be towed at the owner’s expense. Biddeford also had a parking ban in place until Friday morning.

In the meantime, Mainers should brace for a cold Friday. Daytime temperatures in Portland should reach 28 degrees, but by nightfall the wind will pick up and the wind chill will feel like it’s 10 to 20 degrees below zero.

A strong wind will make it feel like -20 degrees or so, and temperatures will remain cold with highs in the teens or around 20 degrees Saturday. The wind will die down and lows on Saturday night should be a little higher than those on Friday night.

Forecasters are also watching development of another storm that will move east early next week. But it’s not clear yet how strong that weather-maker will be and if it will hit Maine.

« Previous

Bethel’s ‘Olympia’ holds world record for tallest snowman 15 years later

Next »

Search continues for missing Topsham women