July 2026 Monthly Narrative for Northern and Eastern Maine

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

Caribou:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 0.6 degrees above average. 
 Caribou tied its 5th highest monthly maximum temperature, at 91 
 degrees. It tied with 2023, 2019, 2014, 1988,1987, 1979, 1977, 
 1976, 1970, 1959, 1949, 1947, and 1943. Caribou also tied its 6th
 highest monthly low maximum temperature, at 66 degrees. It tied 
 with 2017.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 0.5 degrees below average. 
 Caribou tied its 5th lowest monthly minimum temperature during 
 July, of 48 degrees. It tied with 2025, 2011, 2008, 2003, 1988, 
 1973, and 1963. That being said, Caribou also tied with its 
 current monthly, and annual, highest minimum temperature record 
 of 71 degrees. It tied with 2018, 2014, 1975, and 1970.
-​ Average temperatures were around average. The 2nd highest 
 average temperature reading was tied during July, of 81 degrees. 
 It tied with 2014 and 1968. The 7th lowest monthly average 
 temperature reading was also tied, of 59 degrees. It tied with 
 2023, 2022, 2013, 2012, and 1955.
-​ Precipitation was 0.4 inches below average.

Bangor:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 1.5 degrees above average. 
 Bangor tied its 6th highest monthly maximum temperature for July,
 of 93 degrees. It tied with 2025, 2019, 2006, 2001, 1989, 1988, 
 1969, and 1957. Bangor also recorded its 10th warmest monthly 
 mean maximum temperature at 81.9 degrees. The station also tied 
 its 6th warmest monthly low maximum 2025, 2023, 2012, and 1997.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were around average. That being 
 said, Bangor tied with its 2nd highest monthly minimum 
 temperature record, of 72 degrees. This 72 degrees was also the 
 2nd highest annual mean minimum temperature, tied with 2021, 
 1994, 1977, and 1968. It tied with 1994, 1977, and 1968.
-​ Average temperatures were around 0.8 degrees above average.
 Bangor recorded its 4th highest average temperature, at 82 
 degrees.
-​ Precipitation was 1.92 inches below average. This is the 9th
 driest July on record for Bangor. The driest year was 2012, with
 only 0.58 inches of rain the entire month.

Millinocket:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 1.9 degrees above average. 
 Millinocket tied its 6th highest monthly maximum temperature, of 
 93 degrees. It tied with 2019, 1966, and 1946. Millinocket also 
 recorded its 5th highest low maximum temperature record, at 70 
 degrees.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 0.4 degrees above average. 
 Millinocket tied its 4th minimum monthly minimum temperature, at 
 50 degrees. It tied with 2024, 2019, 2014, 2012, 2009, and 1998. 
 This station also tied its 2nd highest monthly minimum 
 temperature record in July, at 73 degrees. It tied with 1970. 
 This 73 degrees was the 3rd highest annual mean minimum 
 temperature record, tied with 2024, 1970, and 2002.
-​ Average temperatures were 1.1 degrees above average. This
 station tied its 2nd highest average temperature record, at 83 
 degrees, with 1959. Millinocket also tied its 6th lowest average 
 temperature record, 60.5 degrees, with 2015, 2005, 1964, and 
 1952.
-​ Precipitation was 1.32 inches below average. This was the 11st
 driest July in Millinocket on record. The driest was in 1952, 
 when only 0.65 inches of rain fell.

-​Houlton:
-​ Mean maximum temperatures were 1.1 degrees above average. This
 station tied the 6th highest maximum temperature on record, at 92
 degrees, with 2019, 2002, 1993, 1984, 1969, 1968, 1963, and 1949.
 This station also recorded the 5th lowest maximum temperature 
 for July, 69 degrees, along with 2008.
-​ Mean minimum temperatures were 0.7 degrees below average. This
 station tied the 6th lowest minimum temperature on record , at 44
 degrees, with 2019, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2000, 1998, 1995, and 1950.
 Houlton also tied its 5th highest minimum temperature 68 
 degrees, with 2008, 2006, 1983, 1973, and 1968.
-​ Average temperatures were 0.2 degrees above average. Houlton 
 tied its 8th highest monthly average temperature, 80 degrees, 
 with 2019, 1988, and 1949. Houlton also tied its 3rd lowest 
 monthly average temperature for July, at 60.5 degrees, with 2019,
 2008, and 2006.
-​ Precipitation was 2.01 inches below average. This was the 6th 
 driest July on record for Houlton. The driest was 2012 when only 
 0.59 inches fell.

Weather Events:
-​ There were 15 severe thunderstorm warnings in July, 8 of which
 occurred on July 16th. Numerous trees were reported down with 
 some of the warnings issued on July 16th in Aroostook, Penobscot,
 and Hancock counties. Infrastructure damage was also reported in
 Penobscot county.
-​ There were 6 Special Marine Warnings in July, on July 16th. 
 The most notable report from this event was a video of a 
 waterspout moving over Gouldsboro Bay.
-​ On July 14th, the Caribou CWA was placed in its first Enhanced
 Risk since the introduction of the category. Smoke from 
 wildfires, along with ample cloud cover, however, resulted in 
 reduced instability and was not favorable for ample significant 
 storms to develop and move through the region during the evening.
-​ There were some drought upgrades in July. By the end of June,
 western Penobscot and western Hancock county were in Abnormally
 Dry (D0) conditions, and southwestern Penobscot was in Moderate
 Drought (D1) conditions. By July 7th, southern Piscataquis was 
 removed from drought, and western Penobscot and Hancock improved 
 to Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions. On July 14th, Abnormally Dry 
 (D0) conditions expanded into southwestern Washington county. 
 With a continued lack of beneficial rainfall, D0 conditions 
 expanded northwards. Southeastern Piscataquis, central and 
 southern Penobscot, central and northern Hancock, all of 
 Washington, and southern Aroostook entered D0 drought. Far 
 southern Penobscot and western Hancock reentered Moderate Drought
 (D1). Few reports of dry conditions from farmers in Aroostook 
 County.

Climate Outlook:
-​ Temperatures: For July, Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is
 forecasting equal chances for above/below temperatures in
 northern and eastern Maine. For the season ahead, the outlook 
 shows temperatures could lean above climatological normal.
-​ Precipitation: For July, CPC is forecasting above normal
 precipitation in northern and eastern Maine. For the season
 ahead, outlook shows an equal chance for above/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 has a 97% chance of persisting 
 through the end of the year.

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ASB