BIDDEFORD — Those who enjoy shoveling snow are happy to see Winter Storm Harper enter Maine, but for everyone else, accumulation totals and icy conditions are not welcome at any time of the year.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Gray says that a low pressure front has moved northeast through the Gulf of Maine and will be followed by a strong cold northwest flow Sunday and on into Monday night.

Sleet along the coast has held down predicted snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches on Sunday.

With snowfall amounts now expected to range from 5 to 10 inches, intense cold and wind gusts of up to 40 mph are right behind it until another storm passes through the area on Wednesday. The sleet is producing treacherous icy conditions and the possibility of power outages as broken trees limbs could down utility lines.  On Sunday morning about 75 Waterboro residences were without power because of the storm and CMP crews were working to restore electricity.

“North winds will hamper cleanup efforts Sunday night as low pressure pulls away,” NWS officials said. “Expect considerable blowing and drifting overnight with lingering snow showers mainly confined to northern and eastern zones. Lows overnight will range from 5 below north to 5 above on the coast.”

In a press release, Maine Gov. Janet Mills said she is discouraging travel because of hazardous conditions for drivers.

“I encourage Mainers to stay off the roads as much as possible this weekend to help avoid accidents and allow our state and municipal road crews to work safely,” Mills said. “I also hope that families reach out to any of their neighbors in need. Mainers take care of one another and I have every confidence we will continue to do so through these winter months.”

Central Maine Power has monitoring the storm’s advance and has been coordinating preparedness efforts with the Maine Emergency management Agency.

According to a news release from CMP. the utility company has more than 100 contracted line crews from both Maine and Canada stationed in the state to assist in restoration efforts, and 100 tree crews prepared to clear limbs and trees on or near power lines.

CMP crews positioned along the I-95 corridor and inland on Saturday to enable an early response on Sunday morning to reported outages.

Here in York County, Southern Maine Health Care’s Medical Center in Biddeford and both SMHC Emergency Departments in Biddeford and Sanford remain open 24 hours a day.

SMHC’s Walk-In Care Centers and Weekend Clinic will be closed on Sunday. Walk-In Care Centers and Practices/Outpatient Ancillary Services will open at 10 a.m. Monday. Surgeries scheduled for Monday will proceed unless otherwise notified.

Unitil Corporation, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in York County, will open its Emergency Operation Center at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

“The combination of wet snow, wind and some icing has the potential to cause outages on the system, depending on the timing and volume of snow to fall,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “Crews will be standing by throughout the event, with an added emphasis on Sunday morning, as that is when the highest variety of wintry conditions are possible.”

Snow emergency parking bans have been imposed for Biddeford, Sanford and Saco.

Weather forecasters say that snow will lighten up on Sunday night, but residents living along the coast could experience unusually high tides through Tuesday with a risk of minor to moderate flooding in those areas.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.