With more snow likely on the way, public works crews have already plowed multiple storms this winter, eating through road salt supplies in both Gorham and Westbrook.

Robert Burns, director of Gorham Public Works, said on Monday that Gorham had received 86 inches of snowfall this winter, already eclipsing the 10-year average of 84 inches in town.

James Brown of the National Weather Service in Gray reported that as of 9 a.m. on Monday, the Greater Portland area had received 71.8 inches. That is well above 61.9 inches, the winter norm for snowfall in the area over a 30-year period.

The weather service on Monday was forecasting more snow likely, with a 60 percent chance of snow on Thursday and 50 percent chance Thursday night.

Gorham has plowed 16 storms and Westbrook on Monday was in its 17th plowing.

Gorham usually plows an average of 19 storms for the entire winter, Burns said, and is typically hit with “events” into March.

To keep traffic moving, Burns said, Gorham has already used up 1,400 tons of salt from the 1,600 tons budgeted. Burns said the town pays $56.93 per ton for salt.

Tom Eldridge, director of Westbrook Public Services, said his department has “put down” 1,700 tons of salt so far.

“We had a lot of ice storms early,” Eldridge said.

Eldridge said Westbrook would also have to purchase more salt.

“We have some in stock,” Eldridge said.

On Monday afternoon, the Westbrook department had been staffed since midnight on Saturday and has been a little short-handed at times.

“It’s been brutal,” Eldridge said about the unrelenting snow and cold. “The guys do a good job.”

Tony LaBrecque of Gorham Public Works Department clears the sidewalk Tuesday in front of Baxter Memorial Library on South Street in Gorham. Staff photo by Robert LowellMargie Petrone of Fort Hill Road in Gorham submits this photo depicting some humor with her driveway creation after the Jan. 28 blizzard. With Gorham already exceeding the season norm for snowfall, the National Weather Service on Monday predicted 60 percent chance of more snow on Thursday. Courtesy photo