NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FASTEST GROWING ONLINE NEWSPAPER

Batten down the hatches; here comes a humdinger

Comment Print
Related Articles

A winter storm bearing down on the Northern Seacoast today could unleash blizzard conditions with howling winds, poor visibility and 1-2 feet of heavy, wet snow bringing down power lines before all is said and done on Monday.

New Englanders like to say they take it in stride, but at the same time locals were taking precautions and stocking up at places like Milton Hardware, where Scott Taatjes said today they'd run out of kerosene around 11:30 a.m.

"We're only open for three hours on Sunday, and it's been a madhouse in here," he said. The store closes at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Other items in high demand were propane, shovels, shear pins for snowblowers and rock salt.

The storm was expected to begin around noon with some flurry activity before ramping up in earnest around 1 p.m.

Winds will start off fairly tranquil and stay that way till early Monday morning when they're predicted to reach 30 mph and remain in the 20s through much of the day. Gusts could reach 40 mph.

Temperatures will rise into the mid-20s through the day and evening, but wind chill values will make it feel much colder.

The combination of strong winds and heavy, wet snow portends the possibility of power outages throughout the region.

At this time, the corridor expected to be in the bulls-eye of heaviest snow will be portions of central and eastern Maine, including Bangor and Bar Harbor.

"The storm has the potential to bring 1 to 2 feet of snow to parts of central and northern New England and parts of the Maritime Provinces of Canada," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

Locally higher amounts can occur in parts of central and eastern Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

There will be a sharp variation in snowfall across northern and southern New England, where a distance of a few dozen miles could mean the difference between a slushy inch or two of snow and well over half a foot.

Travel and daily activities could be brought to a standstill across the region. Major airline delays and cancellations are likely. Even away from the storm, airline disruptions can occur as flight crews are displaced.

Monday could mark the third consecutive day of school closures in parts of New England.

The intensity of the snow will make it difficult for road crews to keep roads clear. Travel will be dangerous, if not impossible, during the height of the storm.

"The key to whether the heaviest snow zone remains north of Boston or slams the city will depend on how much rain mixes in on Sunday evening," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

"Based on latest indications, heavy snow is expected to win out over any rain mixing in and allow totals to approach or reach a foot in Boston, with higher amounts in the northern suburbs."

Winds will whip past 50 mph along the New England coast, causing the blizzard conditions and blowing and drifting snow. This includes in Boston, Portsmouth, and Portland and Bangor, Maine.

"The weight of the snow, combined with fierce, howling winds will be more than enough to bring down tree limbs and power lines," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.

Read more from:
Top Stories
Tags:
None
Share:
Comment Print
Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: