Wind was gusting up to 50 miles per hour, and a couple more inches of snow were expected by last night, though total accumulations would vary widely, the weather service said. Near-blizzard conditions were reported above 1,500 feet in the state's western mountains.
The powerful wind gusts threatened to bring down tree limbs and damage buildings already stressed by the winter's heavy accumulations of snow.
Several travelers who checked out of the Caribou Inn and Convention Center had to return because whiteout conditions made it nearly impossible to drive.
"It's better to be stuck here where it's safe and warm than to be out in a snowdrift somewhere," said Denise Yenidogan, who was working at the front desk. "We're having a blizzard, but, hey, we got the record."
The city was running out of places to put the snow. Yenidogan said she watched out the window as a gazebo in front of the hotel disappeared from view as the snow fell. Eventually, she could no longer see the weather vane.
"As much as we love the winter and everything, we're done," she said. "We just don't have any other place to put it."
Snowdrifts ranged from about 5 feet to 10 feet in some areas, said meteorologist Mark Bloomer. Drifts along the sides of northern Maine roads, already several feet high, were even higher with the latest storm.
"The snowdrifts that come over the top pile up on the lower side in the street," said Bloomer. "It's going to be a lot of work for the plows."
High winds caused the postponement of the 2008 US Alpine Championships, which were due to open at Sugarloaf USA yesterday. Organizers were to discuss a new schedule during the day.
