50-year-old temperature record broken in #BangorME during spring #HeatWave

by Leela Stockley, March 10, 2026

"A spring heat wave that has brought temperatures in the 50s and 60s across much of the state for the past few days smashed a daily temperature record in Bangor on Tuesday.

"According to the Caribou office of the National Weather Service, a high temperature of 70 degrees was recorded in Bangor Tuesday afternoon, topping a daily record of 62 degrees set nearly 50 years ago. That daily high temperature record was set in 1977.

"That marks the third day in a row that the Queen City has experienced record high temperatures: A daily record high of 59 degrees was observed Monday, tying a record high set in 2016, and a daily record high of 60 degrees was observed Sunday, beating out a high of 59 degrees set in 2012.

"It is also the earliest that Bangor has ever recorded a 70-degree day in the history of record keeping, which dates back to 1925. The previous earliest recorded temperature at or above 70 degrees was on March 18, 2012, when Bangor reached 76 degrees."

[...]

"The high temperatures and sunshine won’t be sticking around, as northern Maine faces a winter storm warning rolling in Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Daytime temperatures across the state are expected to be significantly cooler than Tuesday’s conditions, with highs in the mid 30s to low 40s."

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/03/10/weather/70-degrees-record-high-temperature-bangor/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/Yn7sa

#ClimateChange #ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryMaine #RecordTemperatures #TemperatureSwings #ClimateChangeWeatherWheel #MaineWx

Yup. Welcome to #ClimateChange. Winter to Summer (and maybe back to Winter again) in record time! Also, #Maine is going to tie/break the record for the high on #March10th

Monday soars to a springlike 68 degrees. Warmth not letting up, with a good shot of record-setting highs Tuesday.
Highs will reach the upper 60s and low 70s across the region

By Ken Mahan Globe Staff, Updated March 9, 2026

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/09/metro/new-england-forecast-warm-weather/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/YJVDy

#ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryNewEngland #ClimateDiaryMaine #TemperatureSwings #TemperatureRecords #ClimateChangeIsReal

What's on my mind? Well, that #Maine is still very much in drought (despite the snow). And with dry and unseasonably hot weather (close to 60 F is forecast) on the horizon for next week, it does NOT bode well...

#MaineWx #ClimateChange #ClimateDiaryMaine #ExtremeDrought #SevereDrought #DroughtMonitor

Our overnight temperature (interior #YorkCounty #Maine) was -10°F / -23.33°C. Not a record, but it was pretty damn cold!

#MaineWx #ExtremeCold #ArcticBlast #ClimateDiaryMaine

It turns out not have been hail -- but #graupel! The air definitely felt like snow! There were reports as far north as #NorwayME.

We just had a mini hailstorm just now! No damage -- just itty bitty stones. Not something we see here in Maine very often.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graupel

#ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryMaine #SouthernMaine

Persistent #drought takes toll on #Maine #farmers

After a wet spring, farmers hoped for blue summer skies, but also got a drought that caused crop losses and may last through winter.

Penelope Overton & Robert Lowell, October 5, 2025

"This year, Maine saw its sixth-driest summer on record, with nearly 3 fewer inches of rain than the historical average of 11 inches, according to the National Weather Service. As of Oct. 2, more than half of the state was in severe or extreme drought.

"The Maine agricultural economy is grappling with significant long-term repercussions from the persistent drought, which deprived crops of critical water in July and August and now threatens next year’s harvests, state officials said Thursday at a meeting of the state’s Drought Task Force.
The drought has caused reductions in hay crops, shortened the season for many row crops, resulting in smaller harvests, and it could hurt next year’s berry and tree fruit, according to Tom Gordon, soil and water conservation program coordinator at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

" 'For agriculture, timing is everything,' Gordon said. 'Consistency of precipitation is what’s essential and we can’t in agriculture really catch up on lost precipitation. We need about 1 inch of water per week for crops, and that was lacking during the critical growing season.' "

Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/05/persistent-drought-takes-toll-on-maine-farmers/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/URhAj

#MaineDrought #ClimateDiaryMaine #ExtremeDrought #ClimateChange

@Wyatt_H_Knott We haven't broke the records in #Maine yet... But we might. Ugh...

#ClimateDiaryVermont #ClimateDiaryMaine #ClimateDiaryNewEngland #ClimateDiary #ClimateChange

87°F (30.5° C) in October in #Maine (about 20 miles inland)? Perfectly normal...NOT!

Special Weather Statement - National Weather Service

...Elevated Fire Weather Danger Predicted Today...

"A very dry air mass and breezy conditions will combine with dead and dry fuels such as grass, leaves, and twigs to create the potential for uncontrolled fire spread across western Maine today. This afternoon, relative humidity values will decrease to low levels between 25 and 35 percent. At the same time, southwest winds between 10 to 15 mph with frequent gusts to 20 mph will continue to dry fuels and increase fire spread potential. Wind gusts are expected to diminish later this evening with increasing relative humidity values.

"Extra caution should be taken to prevent wildfires. Always consult with fire officials before engaging in any open burning activities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Never leave an open fire unattended and always extinguish campfires completely before leaving."

#ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryMaine

#Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Climate Summary – August 2025

"Globally, August 2025 is the third hottest on record with the hottest and second-hottest Augusts occurring in 2023 and 2024, respectively. In Maine, August temperatures ranged from normal to slightly above average, with an overall average temperature of 64.8°F – roughly 1.8°F warmer than normal historical temperatures. Mid-August brought record-breaking high temperatures in Caribou at 94°F, and Millinocket at 95°F, with a heat wave that carried through much of the state. Temperatures are expected to return to normal through September and are likely be above average from October through January (National Weather Service).

Total rainfall statewide was below normal in August with an average total of only 1.93 inches, which is approximately 1.58 inches less than historic averages for the state in August. As the pattern of reduced rainfall this summer continues into September, we are continuing to see consistent #drought conditions for much of the state. At the end of August, an estimated 86% of Maine was experiencing some level of drought, and approximately 53% of those areas affected were under severe drought conditions. With a continued rainfall deficit, drought in the southern two-thirds of Maine will persist into September, but may decline over the coming months as rain totals are expected to be close to normal in October and November (National Weather Service). Soil moisture is forecasted to be below 70% percentile for much of the state through October (U.S. Drought Monitor).

Severe drought conditions may lead to yellowing foliage, premature leaf drop, dry soil, low water levels in streams, reservoirs, and wells, and, at times, can lead to increased fire danger. Maine Forest Service (#MFS) Rangers continue to recommend checking the daily Wildfire Danger Report and consult with local fire officials before conducting any open burning."

Source: Emailed newsletter

#ClimateChange #ClimateDiary #ExtremeHeat #RecordBreaking #ExtremeDrought #MaineClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryMaine #MDACF

More consequences of a changing climate...

Nordic skiing faces uncertain future in southern and central Maine

Molly Enking, Maine Public
January 22, 2025

"After 30 years offering cross-country skiing on its network of trails, #SmilingHillFarm made the tough decision this winter to permanently end the skiing program.

"The farm has been in Michael Knight's family for over 300 years. He used to groom the trails with his father.

" 'We'd get up at 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock at night and groom all night long,' Knight recalls. And it was good to be out in nature and in the evening. I always looked across the snow on a cold night, and it just sparkles when the light hits it. I always called it diamonds in the snow.'

"But despite his love for the sport, Knight says it's just not viable anymore. Last winter, the farm saw just one good day of skiing. Between grooming, hiring employees, and maintaining rental equipment, Cross-country skiing hasn't brought in a profit for the farm in over five years.

" 'Hey, we're in the middle of January, and you need a good five or six weeks of revenue coming into this place in order to make that pay for itself. And I'm smart enough to realize it ain't working.' "

Read more:
https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/01/22/nordic-skiing-climate-change-no-snow

#ClimteChange #ClimateDiaryMaine #NoSnow #Maine