July 2025 Monthly Narrative for Northern and Eastern Maine

The July 2025 season wrapped up with above average temperatures. 
There was near average precipitation in northern Maine, but 
significantly below average precipitation in central and southern 
Maine. 

Temperatures were above average throughout northern and central 
Maine, with monthly averages generally ranging from 0.5-2 degrees 
Fahrenheit above climatological normals. Monthly maximum 
temperatures were above normal by generally 1-2 degrees, with 
greatest deviations  found in Millinocket, around 1.8 degrees 
Fahrenheit. Both Caribou and Bangor recorded deviations around 1.5 
degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Houlton high temperatures were also 
above average by 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit. July 7th was one of the 
hottest days for northern and central Maine this month, with 
temperatures that reached into heat advisory criteria Downeast. 

Monthly minimum temperatures were generally 1.3-2.3 degrees 
Fahrenheit above normal, indicating some warmer overnight lows 
throughout the month, with Millinocket and Houlton seeing the 
highest deviations around 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Caribou and Bangor 
were 1.3 and 1.5 degrees above normal, respectively.  

Rainfall for the region was about average in northern Maine, around 
the North Woods, central Aroostook, and northern portions of the 
Central Highlands. Central Maine was below average, and Bangor 
region and Downeast Maine were significantly below normal. Caribou 
averaged 4.47 inches of rain this July, which is roughly 0.24 inches 
above average based on climatological normals. That being said, 
Caribou evaporation amounts totaled up to 5.77 inches in July this 
year, resulting in a precipitation deficit for the area. Houlton 
averaged 4.00 inches of precipitation, which is 0.37 inches above 
normal. Things get drier as we enter central and southern Maine 
however, with Bangor only averaging 0.81 inches of rain this July, 
which is 2.35 inches below normal. This is the 4th driest July on 
record for Bangor, since 1926. Millinocket only averaged 1.84 inches 
of precipitation, which is 2.59 inches below normal, and the 11th 
driest July on record since 1903. On July 1st, northern Maine was 
not in any drought, and as of July 29th, there are still no drought 
conditions indicated in Maine. Short term composite drought 
indicators have a potential for some abnormally dry conditions to 
persist in central and southern Maine, but clearing up by the 
mid/long term period. 

For the August seasonal outlook, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) 
is predicting above average temperatures for the northeast. There 
are no strong signals for above or below average precipitation 
chances for August. Average temperatures for August are usually in 
the mid to upper 60s. Average high temperatures are generally in the 
mid to upper 70s, and average low temperatures are generally in the 
mid 50s.

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ASB