Caribou, ME – A messy winter storm bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain will move into northern Maine Wednesday morning, creating icy and difficult travel conditions through early Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday for much of Aroostook County, including communities such as Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Kent, Madawaska and Van Buren.
Forecasters expect a mix of winter precipitation with 3 to 6 inches of snow, 1 to 2 inches of sleet, and ice accumulations up to 0.20 inches in the hardest-hit areas of northern Aroostook County. The combination of heavy sleet and ice may make snow removal difficult while creating slick roadways.
Farther south across northern Somerset, Piscataquis and Penobscot counties—including Millinocket, Patten and areas near Baxter State Park—lighter snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, but ice accumulation of 0.10 to 0.20 inches could still create hazardous conditions.
The storm is expected to worsen through Wednesday afternoon and evening, potentially impacting the evening commute and continuing to cause problems for drivers into the Thursday morning commute.
Officials urge residents to allow extra travel time, monitor road conditions through Maine’s 511 system, and prepare for slippery roads as the storm moves through northern Maine.
