After Digging Out From Sunday's Storm, Northeast Gets More Snow

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Mainers who've spent the past few days digging out from last weekend's big snowstorm were getting more of the same Wednesday _ with prospects of up to a foot in far southern

Thursday, December 20th 2007, 8:09 am

By: News On 6

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Mainers who've spent the past few days digging out from last weekend's big snowstorm were getting more of the same Wednesday _ with prospects of up to a foot in far southern portions of the state.

As more snow fell Wednesday night, the National Weather Service said a trough of low pressure would bring accumulations of 6 inches to a foot in York, Cumberland and southern Oxford counties as well as portions of New Hampshire.

Central Maine accumulations were expected to be in the 4-8 inch range, and the mountains and northern Maine were getting off even easier with 1-6 inches expected.

The heaviest accumulations were to take place during the night, with the snow gradually tapering off Thursday afternoon.

The latest in a series of storms was keeping plowing businesses busy. In Augusta, Pat Doyon said his business has grown from almost nothing three years ago to one in which he's had to hire assistants to help run his routes of customers this season.

``We're moving steady,'' said Doyon, who's sped up his work by noting which customers need to be plowed out right away and those who can wait until the snow stops. ``I'm keeping up with everybody.''

As light snow fell, the Maine Turnpike in Gray said traffic was light and accidents were limited to a few motorists sliding off ramps. No injuries were reported.

Maine's early, abundant snowfall has revved the snowmobile season to a start, prompting state officials and the Maine Snowmobile Association to ask riders Wednesday to be safe on the trails.

Last year, nearly 92,000 people registered their snowmobiles in Maine. State officials say six people died and 155 people were hurt in snowmobile-related accidents in 2007.

Snowmobilers are being encouraged to plan ahead before heading to trails. They're also urged to keep safety in mind while riding, not to drink and ride, and to respect landowners' properties.

Maine has 13,500 miles of snowmobile trails.