A major nor'easter is hitting Maine on Thursday bringing heavy snow, high winds and dangerous conditions.
It's April but it is more like a winter storm for the New England area.
Heavy, wet snow and some sleet will spread into the Northeast will continue into Friday. Portions of northern New York and Northern New England will likely see significant snow accumulations of over 12 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
The system will create significant impacts from heavy snow and wind, and the combination of heavy snow rates and gusty winds will lead to dangerous
travel conditions, with whiteout conditions and snow-covered roads.
Good evening. A Nor'easter is expected to move through New England tomorrow, bringing significant snow and sleet to New Hampshire and Maine. Here's a look at what we are expecting. #NHwx #MEwx pic.twitter.com/kJ4dmOhfo9
— NWS Gray (@NWSGray) April 2, 2024
The combination of wet snow, high snow load, and strong wind gusts could also result in tree damage and power outages.
Maine snow closures
Many localities across Maine put parking bans into effect to help crews clear snow.
Some local government agencies were already announcing Thursday closures.
Google searches spiked for people trying to find out if stores like Whole Foods and Lowes were going to be open.
One industry was happy about the late-season storm. Ski resorts like Sugarloaf Moutain were looking for more snow. It was offering free skiing for people who bought ski passes for next season.
The Saddleback ski mountain was hoping to get 23" from the storm. It warned skiers that Nor'easter wind gusts could create dangerous conditions on the mountain and to monitor the forecast.
Forecasters warn that prolonged onshore winds continuing through Thursday will result in moderate coastal flooding for portions of the Northeast Coast. Impacts include widespread roadway flooding, coastal and bayside flooding, impassable roads, and some damage to vulnerable structures.
The storm was moving over the Great Lakes and will move southeastward to the Mid-Atlantic Coast by Thursday evening and northeastward toward Maine by Friday. The system will produce a late-season winter storm across portions of the Great Lakes and the Northeast from into Friday.
Snowfall accumulations of as much as 1 to 2 feet are expected in parts of northern Wisconsin and the western portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
