BANGOR – The wintry storm blasting the Northeast on Thursday was expected to drop only 1 to 4 inches of snow on central and southern areas of Maine, according to the National Weather Service.

But another powerful snowstorm may barrel into Maine this weekend, potentially bringing with it a foot or more of the white stuff.

Weather forecasters say they expect a significant storm to develop over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and begin heading north. According to early predictions, the storm could arrive in Maine late Saturday or early Sunday morning.

Depending on the track it takes, the storm could produce heavy snow Sunday into Monday that, when combined with powerful winds, could make for near whiteout conditions, said Joseph Hewitt, senior forecaster with the National Weather Service in Caribou.

Hewitt said forecasters would have a better idea of the storm track on Friday.

“If things come to pass as we think they could, there is a potential for at least a foot of snow,” Hewitt said. “And if it tracks along the coast it could be more.”