By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Yesterday morning’s gentle flurries heralded more snow on its way to Maine. Winter staked its claim early in December after last week’s monster storm barreled across the country causing cancellations, delays and traffic snarls before losing its steam in Aroostook County.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
HOMESPUN — A handmade wreath decorates a mailbox surrounded by last week’s snowfall on the Ludlow Rd. in Houlton.
Officially on the calendar it’s still fall until the winter solstice December 21. But, Mark Turner, service hydrologist for the National Weather Service (NWS), said “December means winter. We will be seeing precipitation storm across the northern quarter of the state Wednesday afternoon and Houlton residents can expect around three inches with more falling in the north.”
According to NWS, last week’s snow totals were as high as nine inches in Madawaska with half as much in Houlton.
As for the months ahead, Turner said “it’s like looking into a crystal ball. The most memorable winters are more about storm tracks and global patterns. Right now we are in a storm pattern which could mean a lot of snow.”
At presstime Tuesday, Lt. Dan Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department said conditions in town were “mealy and quite slick so precautions should be taken when driving.” A fatal accident possibly related to weather conditions and slippery roads was being investigated by state police officers
