Nico Doyle, 17, of Portland, clears snow from a neighbor’s driveway on Feb. 9, 2025. Another storm is headed to Maine this weekend. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald
A winter storm lasting more than 24 hours this weekend is expected to deliver a sampling of everything to southern Maine: snow, sleet and freezing rain.
“It’s all one kind of system. It’s a long duration one,” said Greg Cornwell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gray.
The storm will start with snow Saturday evening and into the night, and switch to freezing rain and sleet on Sunday, he said. The forecast is less than clear about when the system will change from snow to freezing rain. “It gets a little muddy if warm air comes in, then sleet and freezing rain,” Cornwell said.
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Everyone from those who have to shovel their driveways, to children hoping to enjoy fresh snow on a holiday weekend will be watching how many inches of snow the storm will leave behind, but the weather system is likely to bring more than just fresh powder.
“Accumulated sleet is kind of an odd thing to walk on and shovel,” Cornwell said. “It’s kind of granular and doesn’t behave like snow packed down.”
“We’re confident it’s going to be an impactful winter storm for the region, but there are still details to be ironed out for snowfall or freezing rain,” he said.
The National Weather Service forecasts possible snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches Saturday night. Snow is expected to continue into Sunday afternoon, followed by sleet between 2 and 5 p.m., then freezing rain and more sleet. Snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.
The totals are expected to be greater in northern and central Maine. The National Weather Service expects snow to spread across the region Saturday evening, with the potential for 8-12 inches across much of central Maine, including the Augusta and Lewiston areas. Parts of western Maine near Rangeley could see 10-16 inches.
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As of Friday, forecasters expect the storm in southern Maine to taper off late Sunday night and move north. “Far southern Maine will be out of consistent precipitation by midnight Sunday,” Cornwell said.
Monday, President’s Day, is expected to be windy and blustery as the storm exits southern Maine.
Unlike previous storms that brought light, fluffy snow easily shoveled out of the way, the coming storm will have more moisture, Cornwell said.
This winter is shaping up to be more of a resurgence of normal weather after three years of milder, less snowy seasons. Before a storm Thursday that dropped between 10 inches and 12 snow inches of snow Portland had nearly reached last year’s total for the season.
After Sunday, southern Maine is likely to be on pace for its snowiest winter since 2017-18, according to a meteorologist at the National Weather Service said.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
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On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
Keon Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Maine Celtics defeated the Windy City Bulls 122-87 in an NBA G League game on Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Hason Ward scored 16 points and Jalen Bridges 14 for Maine (13-15), which had seven players score in double digits. Bridges drained four 3-pointers for the Celtics, who shot 13 for 28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc.
Max Shulga dished out 11 assists and scored nine points.
Maine led 33-18 after one quarter 72-36 at halftime.
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Keyshawn Bryant scored a game-high 25 points for Windy City (12-12).
