Spring snow is falling over much of Maine on Monday.
A weak weather system moved into Maine by late morning, bringing wet snow to central, southwest and western parts of the state. The snow is expected to transition to rain along the coast this afternoon.
Most areas will see snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches with the possibility of locally heavy snowfall. The precipitation could cause dangerous driving conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
Portland and southern coastal areas will see less than an inch of snow before a switchover to rain. The western mountains are expected to see the most snow, likely around 3 to 5 inches, according to the weather service.
The snow will be heaviest early Monday afternoon and continue through the evening commute for some, according to the weather service. The highest snow accumulation will be seen on grassy surfaces, and roads are likely to be slushy because of melting.
The speed limit on the Maine Turnpike was reduced to 45 mph from the border with New Hampshire to mile 109 in Augusta.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. for parts of Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Waldo, Lincoln, Cumberland and York counties.
A small craft advisory has been issued for coastal waters from Stonington to the Merrimack River in Massachusetts. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 knots and seas of 4 to 7 feet will create conditions that could be hazardous for small boats. The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The forecast has prompted some school districts to announce early closures, including Gorham, Richmond, Wiscasset and Winthrop. The University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College and University of Maine at Augusta will close at noon. Farmington District Court will also close at noon.
The low pressure system will exit the area Monday night, but another system will pass nearby offshore late Wednesday, bringing another chance of snow and rain. The weather service says conditions will remain unsettled and relatively cool into next weekend.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
