Blizzard Warning Issued for Coastal Maine Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, has issued a Blizzard Warning for several coastal counties. This alert indicates that blizzard conditions are likely, with extreme severity expected during the warning period.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions in Maine:

• Sagadahoc County
• Lincoln County
• Knox County
• Coastal Waldo County

Expected Conditions

Residents in the affected areas should prepare for the following hazards:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches are expected.
• Wind Speeds: Winds are forecasted to gust as high as 50 mph.
• Visibility: Whiteout conditions are expected with visibilities falling below 1/4 mile due to the combination of falling and blowing snow.
• Infrastructure Impacts: Strong winds are expected to down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. There is an elevated threat for downed power lines and power outages.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective from 7:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST on Monday, February 23. The greatest potential for blizzard conditions will exist from late Monday morning through the afternoon hours, which will likely impact the evening commute.

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service advises the following actions:

• Travel Restrictions: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you.
• Safety: If you become stranded in your vehicle, stay with the vehicle.
• Monitoring: Delay all non-essential travel. The latest road conditions can be accessed at newengland511.org.