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A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) is in effect for parts of southeastern Maine until 1 p.m. ET Saturday, and the federal agency warns that travel will be “extremely dangerous” with snow accumulations of “between 4 and 9 inches.” “

The warning applies to the towns of Cherryfield, Machias, Eastport and Perry, with particularly heavy snow expected “east to Passamaquoddy Bay.” Other parts of eastern Maine, as well as areas in Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, are under NWS winter advisories with a lower warning level.

Why it matters

The NWS is warning against non-essential travel to the area of ​​Maine covered by the warning, which it says “means severe winter weather conditions will make travel extremely dangerous.” They continue: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Anyone traveling outdoors is warned that “scattered snow in open areas may temporarily reduce visibility.” NWS warnings and alerts are intended to inform the public of hazards they may face and give them time to plan accordingly, especially with millions of Americans traveling before the Christmas holiday.

What you should know

For the affected area in Coastal Washington County, Maine, the warning is in effect until 1 p.m. ET Saturday, with wind gusts “up to 35 mph” expected.

The NSA also urged people around Cherryfield, Machias, Eastport and Perry to “expect slippery road conditions” and reduced visibility.

A weaker NWS Winter Advisory is also in effect for Maine in Coastal Hancock, Northern Washington, Central Washington and Interior Hancock counties until 1:00 p.m. ET Saturday. In these areas, “periods of snow will particularly cause travel difficulties” and motorists are urged to take extra care on the roads.

In Montana, Central and Southeast Phillips, Northern Phillips and Valley counties are under a winter advisory effective Sunday between 2 a.m. and 11 a.m. MST.

This is expected to result in “difficult journeys” with “slippery and icy road conditions”.

Smaller areas covered by winter warnings also include the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border, part of central New York state, northeastern Ohio and an area spanning Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Winter warnings were put in place in nine states on Friday, with up to five inches of snow expected in some areas.

Separately, a freeze watch is in effect for portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia from late Saturday night through Sunday morning.

What people say

X. Maine-based meteorologist Jason Nappi said: “A severe winter storm will hit Nova Scotia early Friday into Saturday, bringing several inches of snow. The storm will be close enough to Maine that it could accumulate a few inches to the east and along the coast. Then we see a cold snap.”

On Saturday morning, local station WABI-TV reported: “As of 7:17 a.m.: Snow showers continue this morning in eastern Maine. Light, isolated snow showers will continue into the afternoon. Some communities could see blowing snow. Most will see less than an inch of it.” It snowed for the rest of the day, with some scattered areas beyond.

What happens next

According to an AccuWeather forecast, the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho could see solid snowfall on Christmas Day.

Snow showers are also forecast along a stretch of the East Coast from Maine in the north to Georgia in the south.