PORTLAND (AP) — Maine residents are getting ready for the first big snow storm of the season by stocking up on rock salt and shovels.

The National Weather Service says more than six inches of snow could fall in southwest and central Maine starting Sunday and into Sunday.

The city of Auburn has declared a parking ban from midnight Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. Lewiston’s parking ban runs from midnight Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday.

John Campbell, a salesman at Aubuchon Hardware in Portland tells the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1bDz2DR ) that business has been busy all week and they’re expecting it will be even busier tomorrow as Mainers prepare for the storm.

Mike Bobinsky, Portland’s director of public services, says the city’s snow plows and salt trucks are already ready to go. He says they’re doing final maintenance checks Friday.

He says if the city gets more than six inches, all 34 trucks will be out to clear the roads.

GRAY — The National Weather Service in Gray has issued a winter storm watch for Saturday  for much of New Hampshire, southern Maine,   central Maine and the western Maine mountains and foothills.

The NWS is only saying there is a 50 percent chance of 6 to 10 inches of snow throughout Saturday evening and into Sunday evening. Other media are forecasting as much as 10 inches inland.

The heaviest amount is expected to fall Saturday before tapering off into snow showers Sunday. Heavy snow and strong winds could create whiteout conditions.

The city of Auburn has declared a parking ban from midnight Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. Lewiston’s parking ban runs from midnight Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday.

Areas closer to the coast may see the snow turning to sleet. Temperatures could stay in the 20s in the interior while falling to 5 to 15 degrees in the Maine mountains.