How hot did it feel in Maine on Friday?
Liam Rice, 16, of Gorham does a back flip into the Presumpscot River in Gorham on Thursday afternoon while cooling off with friends. (Staff photo by Derek Davis)
The first Friday of August in Maine was hot and humid enough to make you sweat just sitting there.
The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a heat advisory for Friday predicting that the heat index — how hot it feels when combining heat and humidity — would get within a degree or two of triple digits. It covered an area from Kittery nearly all the way to Millinocket, with areas at higher elevations in western Maine spared.
The agency slightly expanded the area of the advisory early Friday afternoon and projected the heat index would reach or break 100 degrees in some areas.
Related
Heat advisory issued for much of Maine on Friday
It did just that.
The heat index reached 105 degrees in Bath; 104 in Denmark, Old Orchard Beach and Windham, and 103 in Cape Elizabeth, Otisfield and Westbrook, according to the weather service’s unofficial data Friday evening. The heat index peaked at 102 degrees in Waterville; 101 in Durham and Mechanic Falls; and 100 in Brunswick.
However, some coastal communities under the advisory evaded that triple-digit mark Friday, including the Portland area. The Portland International Jetport recorded a heat index of 96 degrees, according to the weather service.
Advertisement
Actual temperatures across Maine ranged from the high 80s to mid 90s.
Related
‘It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.’ Keith Carson explains why.
The advisory expired for Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington counties at 6 p.m. Friday but remained in place until 8 p.m. for the impacted areas to the south, which included all of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and York counties.
The weather service projects that the heat should begin to fade Saturday, but it will remain hot and humid. Overnight lows are only forecast to drop to the high 60s and low 70s through the weekend, according to the weather service.
Much of the state can also expect to see rain showers on Saturday, and possible storms with heavy downpours and wind gusts at times.
Copy the Story Link
Tagged: extreme weather, heat, hot weather, maine weather, National Weather Service, weather
Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. More by Drew Johnson
