A winter storm from Sunday evening throughout Monday is expected to bring 7-14 inches of snow to the majority of Maine, with blizzard conditions to northern coastal counties and the possibility of coastal flooding to York County.
The National Weather Service in Gray announced a blizzard warning for coastal Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Monday. Falling and blowing snow is expected to create whiteout conditions that could reduce visibility to a quarter mile. In addition to reducing visibility, forecasted wind gusts up to 50 mph will elevate the risk of power outages.
For the counties under a blizzard warning, the weather service said on its website that travel should be restricted to emergencies on Monday. If you must travel, bring a winter survival kit and stay with your vehicle if stranded, it advised.
The weather service also issued a winter storm warning to southwest Maine from 7 p.m. on Sunday through 10 p.m. on Monday.
In the southern coastal region, wind gusts could reach 40 mph and areas of blowing snow are expected to significantly reduce visibility. In addition to wind blowing snow, periods of heavy snowfall could produce travel conditions described by the weather service as “extremely dangerous.”
On its website, the National Weather Service said that people in coastal Maine should consider delaying all travel and should use extreme caution on the roads if travel is “absolutely necessary.”
The weather service also issued a coastal flood warning on Monday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. in coastal York County, as significant nearshore waves produced by the storm may result in beach erosion and launch water and ice onto coastal roads. The minor to moderate flooding could bring 1-2 feet of inundation to the most flood-prone areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Residents should take necessary action to protect flood-prone property and should not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, said the weather service.
In Portland, city officials announced a city-wide parking ban on Monday evening from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Tuesday. A list of school, business and government closures and cancellations is available online through the Portland Press Herald.
This story will be updated.