Brief wintry storm causes accidents

A brief wintry storm swept through western Maine and into parts of Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot and Aroostook counties on Friday afternoon, contributing to a number of minor accidents.

The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department dealt with about a dozen accidents between the mid- and late-afternoon hours, although none resulted in serious injuries, according to a dispatcher.

One vehicle rolled over in Abbot, and two cars collided head on in Monson, but all participants escaped relatively unharmed.

Similarly, Penobscot County Sheriff’s deputies dealt with a handful of accidents in the northern parts of the county, including a two-vehicle crash in Corinth. That accident also was not considered serious, a dispatcher said.

Later in the evening, a tractor-trailer jackknifed on Route 6 in Springfield, east of Lincoln, and blocked the road for about a half-hour.

Rich Norton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Caribou, said Friday’s storm was short-lived and wasn’t likely to result in significant precipitation.

The heaviest precipitation was expected in Aroostook County, which was to get all snow.

But the mix of rain and sleet in more southerly areas created problems on the roads.

“It’s a little messy and potentially dangerous if people aren’t paying attention,” Norton said.

Another small storm appeared headed for Maine late Sunday and into Monday, according to Norton.

That weather pattern is expected to hit the coastal areas mostly with rain.

But it could create a wintry mix if temperatures remain in the mid-30s.

“From what we’ve seen so far, it doesn’t look substantial,” Norton said.

The next few weeks are expected to be colder than normal, the meteorologist said, but no significant storms are forecast.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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