Northeast snowstorm snarls traffic ahead of Monday morning commute: Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine hit with up to 14 inches of snow

• Travelers were urged to exercise caution in Vermont and New Hampshire
• Those in Maine were encouraged to avoid the roads altogether
• The storm was expected to lose strength over the course of the day - not before disrupting morning travels

By Mackenzie Tatananni For Dailymail.Com[1]

Published: 15:17, 4 December 2023 | Updated: 15:19, 4 December 2023

Treacherous snowy conditions plagued portions of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine Monday morning, with commuters in some states urged to stay home.

An ongoing storm dumped powder across northern New England, northern Vermont[2] and New Hampshire[3], and much of Maine[4], with totals projected to reach between eight and 14 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm was projected to ebb by the end of the day, not before causing sweeping power outages across Maine, where travelers were urged to stay off the slick roads.

Winter storm warnings were posted across the state, as well as in Northern Vermont and New Hampshire. Under a warning, which is issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office, hazardous weather in the form of heavy snow, freezing rain, or sleet is imminent.

Another period of light snow or snow showers was possible for Monday night into Tuesday.

A winter storm dumped inches of powder across northern Vermont (pictured), New Hampshire and much of Maine as the Monday morning commute got underway

Maine (pictured) was the worst-hit, with commuters encouraged to avoid the roads completely due to 'extremely dangerous travel conditions'

Total accumulations between 8 and 14 inches were expected from the storm, according to the National Weather Service (pictured: the NWS office in Caribou, Maine)

Vermont

Northern Vermont was under a winter storm warning early Monday, according to the NWS.

Heavy snow was expected across swathes of Orleans and Essex County, with a total accumulation of three to eight inches. Amounts up to 10 inches would be possible above elevations of 1500 feet.

In neighboring New York, Western Clinton County faced the same advisory.

'Plan on slippery road conditions.

The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute,' the warning read.

The NWS noted that scattered power outages were possible, and travelers were urged to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency.

Most of the snow was expected to fall before 9am local time, followed by infrequent showers. Snowfall was likely to continue into the night, mostly before 10pm.

As of Monday morning, the highest snowfall total for the entire storm was a whopping 8.7 inches near Greensboro, Vermont.

Heavy snow was expected across portions of Orleans and Essex County in Vermont, with a total accumulation of three to eight inches by the end of the storm

New Hampshire State Police urged drivers to reduce their speed and exercise caution as a wintry mix of rain and snow fell on the roadways

Dozens of schools had delayed openings across New Hampshire as road crews worked to clear inches of snow from the streets

New Hampshire

New Hampshire State Police urged drivers to reduce their speed, use their headlights and leave extra space between vehicles as a wintry mix of rain and snow disrupted morning travels.

A winter storm warning was in effect for Coos and northern Carroll counties through 1pm local time, while a less severe winter weather advisory continued for six other counties until 10am.

Wet, heavy snow continued to fall in central and northern parts of the state, though it was expected to dwindle by early Monday morning from southwest to northeast.

Following an accumulation of several inches in the higher elevations of northern New Hampshire, an additional few inches would be possible throughout the day, but the snowfall was expected to taper off.

Dozens of schools across the state had two-hour delays or delayed openings as crews flocked to clear snow from roadways.

The NWS cautioned against low visibility on the roads as Maine residents began their morning commute

The agency projected a storm total of 8 to 14 inches across the state, as tens of thousands of power outages were reported

'Moderate travel impacts' were expected as snow coated nine regions across northern Maine

Maine

Maine was by far the worst-hit Monday morning.

The NWS posted a winter storm warning in nine regions across the northern part of the state including Oxford and Somerset counties. It was anticipated to be active until 1pm local time.

'Moderate travel impacts' were expected, according to the NWS, as heavy snow dumped across the region, causing low visibility.

In all, a storm total of 8 to 14 inches was projected.

'The potential exists for snowbands that will bring periods of locally heavy snowfall, which will lead to rapid snow accumulations and extremely dangerous travel conditions,' the warning read.

The NWS encouraged travelers to stay home, and reduced speed limits were posted across Interstate 295 as thick snow coated the pavement.

'Persons should delay all travel if possible.

If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility,' the agency urged.

Over 28,000 households were left in the dark as tree limbs snapped and power lines fell.

Most were in Oxford county, with over 10,000 outages, according to Central Maine Power Company.

Light snow showers or flurries were anticipated to continue throughout the afternoon as temperatures climbed above freezing, improving travel conditions outside the mountains..

References

1. ^ Mackenzie Tatananni For Dailymail.Com (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Vermont (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ New Hampshire (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ Maine (www.dailymail.co.uk)