“Our average temperature for this time of year is right around 75 degrees,” said Tim Duda, a forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Caribou Office. “We’ve been running well above normal for the past few days. Specifically, Caribou was 10 degrees above normal for last Saturday and Sunday.”
Duda believes that Monday’s temperature may break or match a long-standing record.
“We’re expecting a high temperature of roughly 89 degrees on Monday,” said Tim Duda. “We’ll tie with the previous record if we hit that number. The last time Caribou’s temperature was that high was 1987.”
Aside from last weekend’s heat wave, no other records have been broken this year.
According to Duda, Caribou’s average Summer temperatures are about three and a half degrees cooler this year than they were last year. This summer, on average, is the coolest in Caribou since 2004. These averages are based on temperatures from June 1 to Aug. 17.
Caribou is not the only community experiencing high temperatures. Duda says all surrounding areas are seeing a notable heat increase.
“All of northern Maine has been running above normal lately,” said Duda. “Yet on average, we have been experiencing cooler temperatures.”
Towns in the lower portion of Aroostook County, such as Houlton, are going through similar temperature fluctuations.
“Typically, a high temperature for Houlton resides in the mid-70s at about 76 degrees,” said Duda. “Lately, they have been running anywhere from about five to 10 degrees above normal. The record high for Houlton is 91 degrees, and it is very possible that they could either tie or go beyond that temperature this week.”
Duda says people should look at these high temperatures in a positive way.
“Everyone should enjoy this summer-like weather while we still have it, because fall will be here sooner than we expect.”
