All of Maine will be under a winter storm warning Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in preparation for a new covering of snow and sleet.

That winter storm warning will become active at 7 p.m. Tuesday and remain in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Gray is forecasting 6 to 10 inches of snow in Augusta and Waterville, with periods of heavy sleet. Western areas of the state may get a little more snow accumulation, but less sleet. The weather service is forecasting 9 to 15 inches of snow in Farmington and 8 to 14 inches in Skowhegan.

Tuesday’s cold temperature will reach a low of 19 degrees and then rise to 27 degrees overnight, settling at highs around 32 degrees Wednesday. Cold will return Wednesday night, with temperature around 20 degrees.

Augusta Schools Superintendent Jim Anastasio said no decision was made about canceling school around 1 p.m. Tuesday. He said he would consult with city public works officials and officials from First Student, the district’s bus provider, before a final decision is made.

Augusta schools have had two snow days, three delayed starts and one early release this school year. The school can use three more snow days without rescheduling graduation for seniors. The last day, as it stands, is June 11, and graduation is scheduled June 9.

“There’s a good chance we’ll miss tomorrow,” he said, adding that the school was “in pretty good shape” for snow days. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we don’t have to cancel two more days.”

If a sixth total day is used, seniors would be just under their legal requirement for days of school and graduation could be moved. Last year, Anastasio said, the school extended five days of school by one hour each to make up a day.

Waterville Public Works Director Mark Turner said roads will be sloppy Wednesday morning, but his crews will attempt have roads ready by daybreak.

“We are prepared for this evening. (The storm is) nothing unusual,” he said. “We have enough materials in stockpile to handle any freezing precipitation.”

Jim Wood, transportation development director for Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, said all “non-essential” transportation services have been shut down for Wednesday. Agency-provided rides to dialysis or cancer treatment appointments will continue as normal, he said.  A decision about transportation services for Thursday will be made by the end of the day Wednesday.

Augusta City Manager William Bridgeo said city administrative offices, including child care at the Buker Community Center, will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Gardiner City Hall and the Gardiner Public Library will open at noon. State legislative offices will be closed on Wednesday.

Another mixed precipitation storm is in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, but it will be less prolific than Tuesday’s storm, according to the weather service.

Sam Shepherd — 621-5666
sshepherd@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @SamShepME

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