CARIBOU Maine — Officials at the National Weather Service in Caribou said Friday, June 29, that weather for the Fourth of July week is looking extremely pleasant, with high temperatures and extended periods of sunny weather through the holiday
The hot weather will begin on Sunday, when temperatures will top out at 81 degrees in Caribou and conditions are expected to be sunny all day, according to Vic Nouhan, meteorologist at the NWS in Caribou.
Temperatures are expected to be even hotter on Tuesday in Aroostook County, with the thermometer reaching 91 degrees. Nouhan said it will be hottest in mideast and central Maine.
On Wednesday, July 4, predictions call for a mostly sunny day in The County, with high temperatures near 87 degrees, according to forecasters.
After that, Nouhan said, there is a chance that a cold front could move in and impact the temperatures for the remainder of the week.
“There is still uncertainty,” he said. “The temperatures could decrease or there is a chance that they could remain warm. We will have to wait and see what the more detailed forecast tells us. For now, we know that we are looking at a pretty good Fourth of July.”
At the same time, studies and research conducted by the Northeast Regional Heat Collaborative and others have discovered that extreme heat is a major public health threat. Residents of the Northeast are more vulnerable, because they are less physiologically adapted to extreme heat and buildings and other infrastructure are not built to counteract extremely high temperatures. Additionally, air conditioning use in Northern New England, the best protection against extreme heat, is lower than in other parts of the country.
On hot days, residents should slow down and reduce strenuous activities and always wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, the collaborative urged, in addition to drinking plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids and spending more time in air-conditioning. Those who must be outside should seek shade and limit activities to early morning or late evening.
Safety officials remind the public never to leave children, disabled adults, or pets in parked vehicles.
