Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Mother Nature had her turn, so now Jack Frost is here to kick the pleasant weather to a cold and icy curb. Aroostook County residents can say goodbye to light jackets, as heavy snows are county-bound with cold temperatures following. The storm is expected to reach the area as early as this afternoon, though the heavy snow is expected more through this evening and overnight according to Mike Cantin, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Caribou.
“Right now, we’re looking at 8 to 12 inches of snow county-wide, and there could be some locally higher amounts,” he said late Tuesday afternoon.
The storm isn’t expected to generate too severe winds, with gusts estimated to range in the 10 to 20 mile per hour range out of the east.
Drivers should be cautious of potentially blowing snow on Thursday.
State police are urging motorists to be prepared for today’s expected snowfall and to slow down once the snow starts to accumulate.
“Slowing down is our best advice as drivers need to reacquaint themselves with winter weather challenges behind the wheel,” said Chief of the Maine State Police Colonel Patrick Fleming. “Snow and ice reduce a driver’s vision and ability to stop and drivers adjusting their speed to allow for adequate braking distance is an essential safety factor when driving in Maine during winter storms,” he added, suggesting that drivers should make sure their vehicles are ready for winter weather with proper tires, windshield wipers, and to be sure that the heater, defroster, lighting and battery are in good, working order.
