March snow storm covers drops foot-plus onto Midcoast

It snowed, and snowed some more... and even more

Thu, 03/08/2018 - 6:15pm

    The meteorologists were correct: The Midcoast got, and is still getting, a heavy deposit of snow. All day March 8, bands of snow have been falling across the region, with a winter storm warning remaining in effect until 7 p.m.

    The winds of the nor’easter have calmed, but the snow continues to pile up, and the plows are continuously clearing roads and driveways that were slippery. Amounts have teetered from a foot to 16, perhaps 18 inches, depending on the location.

    Reports from around the state on the 6 p.m. news have pegged the highest snowfall at 19 inches in Sanford.

    And it is blue snow, with lots of water in it to lend substantial heft. Try flinging a few shovel-fulls over the shoulder and you wonder why your arm aches.

    But what a change from the treacherous ice and then bare ground that has been much of the landscape for the past month. It was a welcome change, made more welcome in that everyone agrees it will melt fairly efficiently in advance of weather that hints of spring.

    If they weren’t stoking the wood stoves, people were outside in temperatures hovering just around freezing, 32 degrees Farenheit. With most offices, businesses and schools closed, it felt more like a quiet Sunday afternoon than a normal Thursday.

    What do you do in this snow?

    Skin up Ragged Mountain and ski down trails that haven’t been open all season. Build big snowmen. Take the snowboards to Rockport Harbor and build jumps. Take long walks with friends. Shovel and shovel.

    And, the Snow Bowl announced late Thursday afternoon that the mountain will be open Friday, from noon to 6 p.m. It will be open this weekend, March 10 and 11, for the grand finale weekend.