Final tallies: Vinalhaven 22 inches of snow, Matinicus 25

Sat, 02/13/2016 - 8:15pm

    The inverted trough in the atmosphere strengthened with energy through Saturday, Feb. 13, and with it, portions of Penobscot Bay got swamped with snow. The localized storm affected just a small area of the Maine coast, but it packed a punch all day, as snow plow drivers hustled to keep up with it.

    Knox County Emergency Management Agency Director Ray Sisk reported that by 7 p.m., the snow had stopped falling regionwide, but clean-up continued.

    Island EMA Directors checking in with some snow numbers, he wrote in an update: “Chief Marc Candage from Vinalhaven, with 22 inches, Eva Murray of Matinicus with 25. Marc sent the two photos attached by email (no plow drivers were injured in the filming of the truck off the road!).”

    The snow resulted from an inverted trough, which flared up throughout the day, said National Weather Service meteorologists. The trough was created by the approach of an arctic front that butted up against a low level system to the south. The two battled it out over the immediate Midcoast region of Camden, Rockport and Rockland, and out to Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus.

    Rockland was reporting a foot by the end of Saturday, with similar amounts in Camden and Rockport, where road crews worked nonstop. Rockport crews started at 11 p.m., Friday night, as an initial 3 inches quickly fell in a short hour.

    It was a dry snow, but roads were slick and heavy with snow. With its departure, the incoming arctic blast of frigid air has arrived.

    Skiers at the Camden Snow Bowl were ecstatic on Saturday, with fresh powder filling the trails, which had been dirt-brown just two weeks ago.

     


    Forecast

    Tonight
    Snow likely before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 10pm and 5am. Cloudy, with a low around -1. Wind chill values as low as -19. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Sunday
    Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny and cold, with a high near 9. Wind chill values as low as -17. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

    Sunday Night
    Clear, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -11. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

    Washington's Birthday
    A 30 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 28. Wind chill values as low as -13. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

    Monday Night
    Snow, mainly after 8pm. Low around 28. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Tuesday
    Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 8am. High near 45. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

    Tuesday Night
    Showers. Low around 33. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

    Wednesday
    Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain before 7am, then a chance of rain showers. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
    Wednesday Night
    A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

    Thursday
    Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.

    Thursday Night
    Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

    Friday
    Mostly sunny, with a high near 29.

    Friday Night
    A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

    Saturday
    A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.



    Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657

     

     


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