ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Acadia National Park staff will decide late Friday whether to open the park road to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for early risers to usher in the new year.

The decision depends entirely on road conditions, according to Chief Ranger David Buccello.

Conditions atop Cadillac can be “dramatically different” from weather in nearby towns, he said. Above the tree line, wind chill can make low temperatures feel even colder. Park staff will consider ice, snow and frost conditions in their decision on whether to open the road to vehicles, said Buccello.

The park also is bolstering the number of rangers on duty and plans to have several helpers assisting with parking and orienting visitors.

For information about road access to the Cadillac Mountain summit, call 288-5459 or 288-3369.