Rapidly intensifying low pressure tracked from the Mid-Atlantic region toward southwest Nova Scotia during the 4th...exiting across the Maritimes during the 5th. The low brought blizzard conditions to all of northern and eastern Maine. Snow developed across Downeast areas during the morning of the 4th...then expanded northward across the remainder of the region through the early afternoon hours. Blizzard conditions developed around noon across Downeast areas then expanded northward across the remainder of the region through the afternoon.
Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph occurred along the Downeast coast...with gusts of 35 to 45 mph across the remainder of the region. Snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour at times occurred in the heavier snow bands during the peak of the storm. The snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain along the Downeast coast during the evening of the 4th ending blizzard conditions there. Blizzard conditions persisted through the remainder of the evening into the early morning hours of the 5th across the remainder of the region. Storm total snow accumulations across coastal Washington county ranged from 7 to 10 inches...with 10 to 14 inches inland from the coast. Snow accumulations across the remainder of the region generally ranged from 12 to 20 inches...with local totals up to around 24 inches.
The storm occurred during a time of unusually high tides. The combination of unusually high tides...strong winds and large waves contributed to coastal flooding mostly during the early afternoon high tide on the 4th. A record high water level of 15.04 feet MLLW was reported at the Bar Harbor NOAA NOS tide gage. Recent cold temperatures had allowed more extensive ice than usual to form along the coast. The high tides and large waves dislodged this ice. The floating ice helped damage ships and wharfs in harbors...along with enhancing beach erosion. Significant beach erosion was reported at Swans Island along with damage to wharfs and boats...with a dock washed away on Great Cranberry Island. A historic smokehouse was partially collapsed in Lubec...with the remnants floated around 100 yards before grounding. Coastal roads were also closed and damaged with debris washed on to the roads. Seawall Road was left nearly impassable due to rocks and debris washed on to the road.

Blizzard in COASTAL HANCOCK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 12:30:00 to 04-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: AWOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 5 to 10 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in COASTAL WASHINGTON, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 12:30:00 to 04-JAN-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 5 to 10 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 13:45:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 18 to 24 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in INTERIOR HANCOCK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 13:45:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 12 to 16 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in CENTRAL WASHINGTON, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 12:45:00 to 04-JAN-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 10 to 14 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 15:00:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in CENTRAL PENOBSCOT, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 15:00:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 12 to 18 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHERN WASHINGTON, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 15:00:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 12 to 16 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 16:15:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHERN PENOBSCOT, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 15:45:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 15:45:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHERN SOMERSET, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 16:15:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 16:15:00 to 05-JAN-18 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 16:30:00 to 05-JAN-18 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 14 to 20 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 18:00:00 to 05-JAN-18 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 17 to 22 inches along with blizzard conditions.

Coastal Flood in COASTAL HANCOCK, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 10:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Public

Unusually high tides...large waves and strong winds contributed to coastal flooding around the time of high tide during the early afternoon of the 4th. Beach erosion was reported along with damage to wharfs and boats in port. Coastal roads were also impacted. Seawall Road was left nearly impassable due to rocks and debris washed on to the road. Significant beach erosion and damage to wharfs and boats was also reported on Swans Island. A dock was washed away on Great Cranberry Island. A record high water level of 15.04 feet MLLW was reported at the Bar Harbor NOAA NOS tide gage.

Coastal Flood in COASTAL WASHINGTON, MAINE
From 04-JAN-18 10:00:00 to 04-JAN-18 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Newspaper

Unusually high tides...large waves and strong winds contributed to coastal flooding around the time of high tide during the early afternoon of the 4th. Beach erosion was reported along with damage to wharfs and boats in port. Coastal roads were also impacted. A historic smokehouse in Lubec was partially collapsed and floated around 100 yards before grounding.