SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
1035 AM EST TUE DEC 2 1997

...WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR NORTHERN MAINE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS CONTINUING A WIND ADVISORY FOR ALL OF
NORTHERN MAINE TODAY. THE COMBINATION OF A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
OVER THE CANADIAN MARITIMES AND AN AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE
OHIO RIVER VALLEY WILL RESULT IN VERY STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS.

SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. THE AFOREMENTIONED AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS MOVING VERY SLOWLY
SO EXPECT THESE STRONG WINDS TO CONTINUE WELL INTO WEDNESDAY.

NORTHERN MAINE HAS ALSO SEEN SEVERAL INCHES OF NEW SNOW OVER THE PAST
DAY OR SO. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS RANGE GREATLY AND IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT
TO GET AN ACCURATE MEASUREMENT SINCE THE FLUFFY SNOW IS BEING DRIVEN
ALL OVER THE PLACE DUE TO THE STRONG WINDS. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS RANGE
FROM A S LITTLE AS TWO INCHES OVER NORTHERN AROOSTOOK COUNTY TO AS
MUCH AS 6.5 INCHES OVER PARTS OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY. THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN CARIBOU HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 4.0 INCHES
OF NEW SNOW SINCE THE STORM BEGAN.

THESE STRONG WINDS ARE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF
SNOW ALONG WITH REDUCED VISIBILITIES. MANY AREA ROADS REMAIN SNOW
PACKED AND SLIPPERY AT THIS TIME. AREA ROAD CREWS ARE OUT IN FULL
FORCE BUT THE SNOW IS BLOWING BACK OVER THE ROADS SOON AFTER THE
PLOWS HAVE PASSED. AREA RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION TODAY AND BE PREPARED FOR BRIEF WHITE OUT CONDITIONS.

THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF TO JUST SNOW SHOWERS AS THE DAY WEARS ON WITH
AN ADDITIONAL INCH OF SO ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE WITH THE BEST CHANCES
OVER THE EASTERN AND HIGHER TERRAIN AREAS OF OUR REGION BUT AGAIN THE
STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE FOR A WHILE.