The Midcoast had little respite after Thursday’s snow storm before another heavy dusting fell through the day Saturday — a precursor to the blizzard that arrived in Maine Sunday afternoon.

The U.S. National Weather Service out of Gray has a blizzard warning in effect until 7 p.m. Monday for the area. Snow was expected to fall as much as 2 to 4 inches an hour at times and winds to increase overnight and Monday, reaching 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of up to 55 miles per hour. 

The forecast also calls for 18 to 24 inches of snow.

“This is a serious storm and we urge all Mainers to prepare and stay off the roads so the DOT crews can safely clear the snow,” said Maine Emergency Management Agency Director Bruce Fitzgerald Sunday. 

Local school systems canceled school Monday and Legislative Offices were closed Monday as well on Sunday.

Several businesses posted on social media they would be closed Monday and Mid Coast Hospital announced its walk-in clinic at Brunswick Station and all Mid Coast Medical Group offices would be closed Monday. Its emergency department and essential services will remain open.

The largest employer in the Midcoast, Bath Iron Works, canceled third shift for Sunday and first shift Monday night, calling only for essential personnel to report to work. The second shift Monday is to call the facilities hotline.

Many towns announced their offices would be closed Monday, including Brunswick, Bath, Bowdoinham, Harpswell, Lisbon, Topsham, West Bath and Woolwich. Brunswick’s town council workshop Monday was postponed to Thursday.

Brunswick issued a 36-hour parking ban, from 7 p.m. Sunday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. The municipal parking lot between Bank and Center streets will be open Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Topsham has a parking ban in effect from 10 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

People have been urged to stay home and off the roads during the storm.

According to MEMA, “National Weather Service representatives indicated that one to two feet of snowfall is expected from the mountains and foothills south to the coast with some spot totals possibly exceeding two feet. Strong wind gusts are expected to be problematic as well, especially along the coast and could cause power outages. A blizzard watch is currently in place along the coast for late Sunday into Monday. The most severe conditions are expected late Sunday through Monday. Utility companies are staging crews in advance and making arrangements for mutual assistance.”