What’s expected to be Maine’s first significant snowstorm of the season is underway.
As the first flakes began to fall Tuesday morning, many schools and public offices closed, and the speed limit on the Maine Turnpike was reduced to 45 mph.
The storm is expected to bring about 3 to 6 inches of snow to the coast, and inland residents could see more than 8 inches by Tuesday night. Snowfall will intensify throughout the afternoon, and the National Weather Service expects snow could be dropping up to an inch per hour Tuesday evening.
The weather service issued a winter storm warning from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday for Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Waldo and York counties, as well as southern parts of Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties.
The National Weather Service expects the storm to cause rapid snow accumulation, low visibility and dangerous driving conditions, especially during the evening commute.
10:20 a.m.: Lewiston, Auburn declare parking bans
The cities of Lewiston and Auburn have both declared snow parking bans.
Lewiston’s ban runs from 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, while Auburn’s is in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday.
10:10 a.m.: Turnpike crash in West Gardiner
The Maine Turnpike Authority has issued an alert about a crash on the Maine Turnpike in West Gardiner, blocking the northbound left lane at mile marker 104.
It wasn’t immediately clear from the MTA’s alert how many vehicles were involved or whether anyone was injured in the crash.
The agency warned drivers to use caution and expect delays between Exit 103 in West Gardiner and the end of the turnpike at mile marker 109.
9:55 a.m.: Gorham postpones Town Council meetings
Gorham announced Tuesday morning that special and regular Town Council meetings scheduled for Tuesday evening have been postponed because of the weather.
9:45 a.m.: Snow coats most of Maine
Most of Maine has seen a coating of snow so far Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Gray.
Meteorologist Jon Palmer said the snowfall is on track with what forecasters expected. He encouraged motorists to be careful and drive slowly as the storm continues to move in.
9:30 a.m.: Courthouses closed all over state
Courts will be closed in southern and western Maine all day Tuesday, while courts in northern Maine, like Somerset and Penobscot counties, will close after noon. All closures are posted on the state’s website.
Courts spokesperson Barbara Cardone said clerks for individual courts will reschedule hearings when they reopen and people will be notified by mail.
9:15 a.m.: Portland, Westbrook declare parking bans
Portland called a citywide parking ban beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. City officials warned residents that they will face higher fines if they fail to move their car during a ban.
The City Council recently raised the fine to $130 in an effort to improve compliance with winter plow operations.
In a news release Tuesday, city officials also reminded residents and business owners about the city’s snow removal ordinance. Business owners must remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property 12 hours after a winter storm. Residential owners must clear their sidewalks 18 hours after the end of a storm, or when the city finished snow removal operations, whichever is later.
Neighboring Westbrook also declared a citywide parking ban from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday.
8:30 a.m.: Scarborough declares parking ban
Scarborough officials announced Tuesday morning that the town had declared a parking ban from noon Tuesday until noon Wednesday.
Other Maine communities that have already announced parking bans include Bath, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Lisbon, Old Orchard Beach, Rockland, Sanford, South Portland, Windham and Yarmouth.
8 a.m.: Closures ramp up statewide; Turnpike speed limit reduced
Hundreds of school districts and agencies across the state are reporting closings Tuesday morning.
Maine state offices are closing at noon because of hazardous snow conditions. Gov. Janet Mills “urges all Maine people to exercise caution when traveling,” according to the state’s website.
Speed limits on the entire length of the Maine Turnpike are reduced to 45 mph due to snow, according to the Maine Turnpike Authority. No oversized vehicles are allowed on the highway.
This story will be updated.