August 2026 Monthly Narrative for Northern and Eastern Maine

...AUGUST 2026 CLIMATE NARRATIVE FOR NORTHERN/EASTERN MAINE...

Month Trends:

Caribou:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 1.3 degrees above average. The 
maximum high temperature for th  month was 88, which tied for 8th 
place for the overall monthly high max temperature in August in 
Caribou. It tied with 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2009, 1993, 1990, 
1949, 1945, and 1942. Caribou also tied its highest monthly low 
maximum temperature for August, at 70 degrees. It tied with 2015.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 1.1 degrees above average. 
Interestingly, Caribou still tied its 4th monthly low minimum 
temperature, at 45 degrees. It tied with 2023, 2019, 2018, 2010, 
2008, and 1948. August also tied its 9th mean monthly minimum 
temperature, at 55.2 degrees. It tied with 1988. Caribou also tied 
its 4th highest monthly minimum temperature for August, at 67 
degrees. It tied with 2025, 2024, 2022, 1998, and 1989.
-​ Average temperatures were 1.1 degrees below average. Caribou 
recorded its 4th lowest monthly average temperature in August, at 
58.5 degrees.
-​ Precipitation was 0.13 inches above average.

Bangor:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 2.3 degrees above average. Bangor 
tied its 7th lowest monthly maximum temperature for August. It tied 
with 2017, 2005, 1990, 1967, 1961, 1948, 1942, and 1939.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were around 1.8 degrees above average. 
Bangor tied its 3rd lowest monthly minimum temperature in August, at 
49 degrees. It tied with 2022, 2018, 2012, 1985, and 1980. It also 
tied its 6th highest monthly minimum temperature, at 69 degrees. It 
tied with 2004, 2003, 2002, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1979, 1975, 1955, 
1937, 1935, and 1933.
-​ Average temperatures were around 2.1 degrees above average. 
Bangor tied its 6th lowest monthly average temperature for August, 
at 62 degrees. It tied with 2018, 2016, and 1948. Bangor tied its 
9th highest monthly average temperature for August, at 80 degrees. 
It tied with 2021 and 1976.
-​ Precipitation was 1.81 inches below average.

Millinocket:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 1.8 degrees above average. 
Millinocket tied its 8th highest monthly maximum temperature, at 91 
degrees. It tied with 2024, 2020, 2015, 2009, 1998, 1997, 1996, 
1977, 1970, 1959, and 1908. Millinocket also tied its 5th lowest 
monthly maximum temperature at 68 degrees. It tied with 2001, 1993, 
1947, 1918, and 1909.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 2.9 degrees above average. 
Millinocket tied its 4th lowest minimum temperature at 47 degrees. 
This was tied with 2014, 2008, 1997, 1970, and 1969.
Millinocket also tied its 3rd highest monthly minimum temperature, 
at 70 degrees. It tied with 2024, 2018, 2009, 2003, 1984, 1976, 
1970, 1955, and 1947. Lastly, Millinocket tied its 10th highest mean 
minimum temperature, at 58.3 degrees. It tied with 1969.
-​ Average temperatures were 2.3 degrees above average. Millinocket 
recorded its 10th highest mean monthly average temperature record, 
at 68.8 degrees. The station also tied its 7th highest average 
temperature record, at 80.5 degrees. It tied with 1976 and 1928. 
Millinocket also tied its 5th lowest monthly average temperature 
record, at 60 degrees. It tied with 2011 and 1948.
- Precipitation was 1.08 inches below average.

Houlton:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 2.0 degrees above average. Houlton 
tied its 10th mean monthly maximum temperature, at 78.7 degrees. It 
tied with 2018. Houlton also tied its 8th monthly highest maximum 
temperature, at 90 degrees. It tied with 2015, 1998, 1997, 1996, 
1991, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1971, 1959, 1955, and 1949. Lastly, Houlton 
tied its 5th lowest monthly maximum temperature at 66 degrees. It 
tied with 2021, 2004, 1998, 1973, 1961, and 1957.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 1.5 degrees above average. Houlton 
also tied its 5th highest monthly low minimum temperature, at 41 
degrees. It tied with 2021, 1967, 1964, 1961, and 1955. It also tied 
its 7th highest monthly high minimum temperature, at 66 degrees. It 
tied with 2012, 2005, 1995, 1990, 1983, 1978, 1976, 1971, and 1965.
-​ Average temperatures were 1.7 degrees above average. Houlton also 
tied its 9th highest monthly average temperature at 76 degrees. It 
tied with 2018, 1974, and 1961. Houlton records its 4th highest 
monthly low average temperature, 57.5 degrees.
-​ Precipitation was 1.03 inches below average.

Weather Events:
-​ There were 11 severe thunderstorm warnings in August, with 8 
issued on August 28th. The majority of these thunderstorms were 
located in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties. There were a handful 
of small pea size hail reports.
-​ There was 1 flood advisory on August 13th.
-​ There was 1 wind advisory in the north on August 4th.
-​ Overnight low temperatures began to creep down into the 30s and 
40s by the end of August, with Escourt Station recording 36F early 
morning on August 22nd and 29th.
-​ There was one heat advisory for the Downeast and Bangor region, 
August 7th. Highest heat index recorded was 96F at Bar Harbor.
-​ The ongoing drought degraded in August. By July 28th, abnormally 
dry conditions (D0), were in southeastern Piscataquis, central and 
southern Penobscot, southern Aroostook, and all of Washington 
county. There was moderate drought (D1) in western Hancock and far 
southwestern Penobscot. By August 4th, moderate drought (D1) 
expanded further north in western Penobscot county. On August 11th, 
there was a lot of expansion, with abnormally dry conditions (D0) 
expanding north into northern and eastern Aroostook, northern, 
central, and southern Piscataquis, northern Penobscot, and coastal 
Washington. Moderate drought (D1) expanded to southern Aroostook, 
central and southern Penobscot, northern and central Hancock, and 
northern Washington. Far southwestern Hancock creeped into severe 
drought (D2). By August 18th, moderate drought (D1) crept into 
southern, central, and northwestern Piscataquis, portions of 
northern Aroostook. By August 25th, Severe drought (D2) expanded 
more into western Hancock county, and up to southern Penobscot.
Moderate drought (D1) expanded farther north, into most of northern 
Penobscot, and northern Piscataquis.

Climate Outlook:​ 
-Temperatures: For September, Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is 
showing no strong signals for above or below normal temperatures. 
For the season ahead, the outlook shows temperatures could lean 
above climatological normal.
-Precipitation: For September, CPC is forecasting no strong signals 
for above or below normal precipitation. For the season ahead, 
outlook shows a chance for below normal precipitation throughout 
northern and eastern Maine.
-ENSO: Per CPC, El Nino conditions are present, with an El Nino 
Advisory in effect. El Nino continues to strengthen, with a 90 
percent chance of a very strong event in fall/winter 2026-2027.

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ASB