The storm was expected to bring more than a foot of snow across central Maine, at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour at its most intense, before dying down Wednesday morning.

Activities and drivers slow to a crawl as high winds and snow falling at 2 to 3 inches per hour cause whiteout conditions in many places.

Forecasts estimate 12 to 18 inches could be expected across the region Tuesday into Wednesday, even as snowfall totals for the Augusta-Waterville area are already running 20 percent above average.

National Weather Service meteorologist warns against travel from Tuesday into Wednesday.

At point Thursday afternoon, more than 8,000 Central Maine Power Co. customers were without electricity.