Portland, Maine – Whiteout conditions and wind gusts up to 55 mph are making travel life-threatening across coastal Maine and parts of southeast New Hampshire tonight, with roads becoming impassable in blowing snow.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray and Caribou, Blizzard Warnings remain in effect for coastal York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties until 10 p.m. Monday, and for coastal Hancock and Washington counties until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Interior and coastal Rockingham County in New Hampshire are also under a Blizzard Warning until 10 p.m.
Storm totals range from 4 to 6 inches near Portland and Midcoast Maine, 6 to 11 inches across Rockingham County, and 6 to 14 inches Downeast, with the highest totals in coastal Washington County. Additional snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected before the storm tapers. Winds are gusting 45 mph in southern Maine and up to 55 mph Downeast, driving visibility below one-quarter mile.
The Maine Department of Transportation and New Hampshire officials urge residents to avoid all non-emergency travel. Snow-covered roads, drifting on Route 1 along the coast, and near-zero visibility on I-95 from Kittery to Bangor are creating dangerous conditions. Isolated power outages are possible as tree limbs snap under wind and snow.
Blizzard conditions will gradually ease late tonight in southern areas but persist Downeast into the Tuesday morning commute. Additional updates are expected overnight as crews assess road and utility impacts.
