On Saturday we had our first real snowstorm of the season, an actual nor’easter. Here is what weather.gov has to say about nor’easters: “A Nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America, so called because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast. These storms may occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April. ”
That, in a nutshell, is a nor’easter. Really, never something you look forward to.
In our area, this storm did not bring much snow, at least by Maine standards—five inches, tops. However, what this nor’easter lacked in snow, it more than made up for in damage. The snow was heavy, and there was high wind. A perfect combination for branches to fall on power lines and knock out power. By Saturday night, around 200,000 households were without power, no small thing in a state with just over a million people.
Fortunately Clif and I did not lose our power, and we were both very, very grateful.
The storm came late in the afternoon, and here are some snow pictures taken just before dusk, when we went out to shovel and scoop for the first time.
The snow frosted the arrangement on the front porch.
The snow coated the hedges, and underneath our Christmas lights glowed.
The snow clung to our trusty winter companions—a bucket of salt for melting icy patches and a shovel.
The snow fell in the front yard, making everything look like Christmas to those of us who live in the north.
The next day, the snow stopped, and the sky cleared. In anticipation of the storm, we had taken in the patio chairs and the little tables. I have a feeling that there won’t be many socially-distanced visits until spring. To me, the patio looks lonesome.
Finally, here is Clif, looking like a man of the north. He had to use the Great Blue Scoop because what little snow we had was too heavy and packed for Little Green, our valiant electric snow thrower.
In Maine, we must be prepared with all sorts of devices that move snow.
Notes From the Hinterland 
It’s fortunate you didn’t lose power. The pictures are wonderful. My favorite is the one with the shovel and the bucket. Such great colors.
Thanks so much!
Wow that’s a lot of snow Laurie! So glad you kept your power and have so many tools to clear the path and driveway 💙
Snow-clearing tools are essential when you live in Maine.
Well, looks like winter has struck you finally. Lovely pictures.
Thanks, Susan. Winter, I think, has come to Maine.
Lucky you didn’t lose power. Lovely pictures, especially those lights twinkling through the snow.
Thanks! We were very lucky.
I heard that Maine lost power and some folks are still without. We had the same storm, but no power loss. It’s icy underfoot, though.
Glad no power loss for you. 20,000 households are still without power in Maine.
The snow is so pretty and I enjoyed seeing your pictures. Sorry about the damage and power outages and I hope power is restored for all very soon. Happy for you that you did not lose power.
The snow is pretty. Still 20,000 households without power. That was some storm, as we would say in Maine.
We have ice storms here that causes large power outages so I know what it is like. Sure hoping soon all there have power again.
Not yet! The power companies are hard at work getting power to the people.
Just enough snow to put one in a holiday mood. 🙂 We had a snowy mix, but not any accumulation to speak of. It was a ‘sandwich’ storm with most of the snowfall in the middle. I hear some got a foot or so. It’s pretty icy out there now, esp. where the groundwater drains along the roads. Stay warm!
Will do! And you, too!
Only 5 inches? For you, a skoosh more than a mere dusting. But big yuk to the combination of wet snow and the wind. About 20% of the population without power is a lot. Glad you were not impacted!
That was a lot. And kudos to the repair crews that worked so hard to restore people’s power.
What a disappointment. I was hoping to see Little Green in action.
Clif is well appointed for the weather. Happy you didn’t lose power!
Thanks, June! He certainly is.
Wet and heavy snow’s a problem for sure. Down here, it’s ice that does us in with broken limbs and power loss. I’m so glad you didn’t lose your power — and that you have a full complement of tools to deal with the stuff!
Oh — I meant to ask. Do you ever flood your patio and use it for ice skating?
No, we haven’t. Not a family of skaters.
Yes, ice is just as bad. How I hate ice storms, which we are having more and more.
About one-fifth of the state’s population lost power. That’s a powerful storm. Hopefully, no more storms like that will arrive over the next few months. Hi, Laurie. Take care.
That is a significant number of households that lost their power. So far, no bad storms on the horizon.
Hooray for power! We can handle whatever snow comes our way, but it sure helps with the power on. Keeps us warm and in a much better mood. 🙂
You bet! Makes all the difference.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄🌨
It certainly is!
Such scenes are alien to me! As pretty as they look from this distance, I am glad I do not have to deal with the aftermath. Your photographs document the snowfall well.
That’s the beauty of blogging. You can see new things without ever leaving your home. Winter is a lot of work, but Clif and I were born here, and it seems normal to us. 😉
Like the drought is to us!
Oh I’m glad you didn’t lose power! The snow pics look so pretty ❤️
Thanks, Kellie! A big relief not to lose power.
I’m glad you didn’t lose your power, Laurie. That makes the difference between a small nuisance and big hassle. I do hope we get some snow this year, but will skip the nor’easters. Lovely snowy Maine pictures! Stay warm.
Will do! Thanks for the kind words.
I don’t miss shoveling snow, although we occasionally have to do that here. Your red house, greenery and snow are a lovely combination though!
Many thanks!
Glad you did not lose power – the worst feature of storms in the north country! Kudos to the “man of the north”; this wet snow is hard to handle!
Sure is!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Laurie! Stay warm and well!
Same to you and yours!
Lovely photos of all the snow, and, as you have said, blogging gives us a window into other parts of the world, and I’m enjoying yours….from afar! I love the Christmas lights shining under the snow.
Best wishes and may you never lose power!
Thanks so much!
Love your front porch arrangement and the wonderful snowy scenes!!🙂 I had read about your storm and as bad as it sounded in some areas it’s very lucky you never lost power. All of our snow has disappeared and they say it’s going to rain this weekend, but I’m still hoping we’ll have snow by Christmas.❄️❄️❄️
Fingers crossed for you!
Snow looks lovely and it covers up all the ugly things in my garden very nicely but it does make work! I’m glad you kept your power – losing that makes life difficult. There was a dusting on the Preselis – Higher ground near me – but nothing here so far, just a hard frost a couple of nights. Stay warm and safe.
I actually like snow. I’ve lived with it all my life. But it is a lot of work.
So pleased you got off comparatively lightly
A big relief!
And just like that, you are covered in snow! I remember not so long you mentioned that it was unseasonably warm – this must be such a shock to the system! Am so glad you didn’t lose power and there isn’t damage to your property.
Maine is a place of extremes—hot during the summer, cold during the winter. And yet I love this place.
Beautiful.
Many thanks!
Here we get Sou’westers with strong salt wind, rain, and very little snow. We hurry out in excitement t get snow photos as it usually turns to rain and disappears within a few hours. I love your photo of the lights glowing under the snow. Snow shoveling is hard work, as I know from very limited experience.
It is hard work. We have an electric snow thrower dubbed “Little Green.” A big help.