The National Weather Service in Caribou issued a severe weather alert for this morning and Friday morning, urging residents of central Washington, interior Hancock and southern Penobscot counties to be on the lookout for a major winter storm.

According to meteorologist Chris Norcross, the snow will begin sometime this afternoon and intensify during the evening, with an accumulation of 10 to 15 inches by Friday.

“Though the major accumulation will end Friday morning, we don’t expect the snow to completely let up until Friday evening,” Norcross said. “There will be extremely high winds, reaching 20 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 miles per hour.”

Norcross said there would be lots of blowing and drifting, with near-blizzard conditions at times.

Temperatures were expected to be in the low to mid-20s. Hazardous driving conditions are expected in the affected areas, and those with travel plans in the areas are urged to postpone their plans or exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.

The meteorologist said the storm should move off into the Maritimes on Friday afternoon, with skies clearing and an expected overnight low of 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Area schools had no comment yet on whether classes would be canceled today. Bangor Superintendent Robert Ervin said he wouldn’t call school off the night before.

“I will evaluate [the situation] early in the morning, use the resources available to me, and go from there,” he said. “We’re talking Maine weather here.”

State and local meetings and events were being canceled across the board, and those in the areas affected by the storm are advised to call ahead for any plans they may have for today and Friday.