2003 Summer (June-August) Climate Summary For Northern And Downeast Maine

                                                                  Victor J. Nouhan

                                                            WFO Climate Focal Point

 

 

Contrasting rainfall distribution across the region was the primary focal point for the summer of 2003. Locations across the western mountains and north generally received above normal rainfall while locations.  Downeast generally received below normal rainfall. At Caribou, for example, 13.68 inches (+2.69 inches) of rain fell during the June through August period, while at Bangor, only 6.07 inches (-3.57 inches) fell during the same period. Some locations in the Saint John Valley, such as Van Buren, received even more rainfall than experienced at Caribou, resulting in periodic urban and small stream flooding.

 

The rainiest portion of the summer commenced at the last day of June across the north and ended just after August 10th. Many of the rainfall events that occurred across the north during this period had a very sharp cut-off near a Dover-Foxcroft to Millinocket to Houlton line.  At Bangor, the June through August period of 2003 marked the third consecutive summer period of dryness with total rainfall less than 7.00 inches. Conversely, Caribou marked its third consecutive July with over 5.00 inches.

 

Temperature for the summer of 2003 uniformly averaged at to slightly above normal across all of Northern and Downeast Maine. Compared to the summers of 2001 and 2002...relatively few 90+ degree days were recorded, especially across Downeast locations.   For instance, at Bangor, only three 90+ days were recorded during the June through August period compared to 10 during the same period in 2002 and 13 in 2001.  In fact, the only heat wave worthy of mention was the period of June 25th-27th which featured three consecutive days of 90+ degrees over several northeast and east central Maine locations, including Caribou. Otherwise, the major contribution to above normal averages at most locations this summer were overnight low temperatures due to cloudy nights and high humidity limiting cooling. 

 

The fall (September through November) 2003 outlook from the Climate Prediction Center is calling for equal chances of above, near normal, or below normal temperatures and rainfall across Northern and Downeast Maine.