Weather changes for Easter in Maine: Wintry mix and rain ahead

Maine is about to get hit by two different weather systems over the next few days, starting with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain tonight that could mess up Friday morning drives. The worst of it will be in the northern and central parts of the state, where some areas might get several inches of snow along with ice buildup on roads. Coastal towns might just see cold rain, but the real concern is the freezing precipitation inland that could make travel risky. Northern Maine, including places like Caribou and Presque Isle, is under a winter storm warning with heavy snow expected to pile up by Friday afternoon. Roads there could become dangerous fast, so anyone planning to drive around Friday should be extra careful or consider waiting it out. Even areas south of that, like Bangor and the central highlands, will see a shift from snow to sleet and freezing rain overnight.The mess starts around 11 p. m. tonight, with the worst of the freezing conditions hitting during the usual morning rush hour. As warmer air moves in from the coast, the frozen precipitation will turn to rain for some areas, but slipping hazards will still stick around. This first system will fade by Friday night, but that doesn’t mean the weather will calm down for long. Another round of showers is expected to roll in Saturday night, bringing more rain across most of Maine. Up north, near Bangor, there’s a chance it could start as another wintry mix before switching over. This means Easter Sunday could still be wet and messy, especially for anyone traveling early in the morning. Roads in northern parts might stay slick, so drivers should stay updated on local forecasts before hitting the road.