Usually the storm will be similar to the northeasters. 

 But a few such storms may retain near or full hurricane 

 force ... .Fortunately, storms of tropical origin do not 

 affect Maine at all in most years. Two or more storms in 

 1 year should be expected about 1 year in 20. 



Summarized climate statistics at stations within or near the characterization 

 area follow. Data on the five basic climatic parameters, precipitation, 

 temperature, cloudiness, wind, and relative humidity, are compared. Climatic 

 features such as fog, snow, ice, and storms are reviewed. Most data used have 

 been drawn from U.S. Government publications. 



Information on the climate of coastal Maine has been assembled from data 

 gathered at 14 stations identified in figure 2-7. At least 30 years of 

 records underlie the data summaries of the majority of these stations [U.S. 

 Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

 irregular ] . Data on precipitation and temperature are complete and available 

 throughout the characterization area. A summary of mean temperature and total 

 precipitation for approximately the last 30 years is given in table 2-2. 



Precipitation is generally greatest along the coast, mainly at Rockland, Bar 

 Harbor, and Machias. Eastport and Portland, which are also on the coast, have 

 less rainfall, however, so local conditions must account for some of the 

 variability. The range between the lowest (40.7 inches; 103 cm) and highest 

 (48.9 inches; 124 cm) precipitation totals is about 8 inches (20 cm) or 

 approximately 15% to 20% of the total. 



Average temperatures show slightly less variability, ranging from 41.8°F (5.4 

 C) at Old Town to 46.0 F (7.7 C) at Rockland. Here much of the variability is 

 related to the station's distance from the coast, or northward location. The 

 coldest station is located well inland at Old Town, while the next coldest 

 stations are in region 6 at Eastport, Woodland, and Machias. 



More information on the characteristics of basic climate parameters can be 

 gained from comparing the annual pattern of monthly means. Figures 2-8 and 2- 

 9 show the distribution of cloudiness, temperature, humidity, and 

 precipitation at Portland and Eastport. The only evaporation measurements 

 recorded near the coast were taken at New Gloucester and are therefore more 

 representative of Portland than Eastport. It is expected that the evaporation 

 pattern exhibited at New Gloucester will be similar at Eastport, although the 

 magnitude will differ. 



Monthly mean temperature . Monthly temperature distributions in figures 

 2-8 and 2-9 show the range between mean high and low temperatures and the 

 record high and low temperatures observed at Eastport and Portland 

 respectively during the 30-year period. The marine influence appears to be 

 strongest in moderating the record low temperatures at Eastport during 

 winter. Otherwise, mean low temperatures at Eastport would be about 5 to 15°F 

 (3 to 8 °C) cooler and mean high temperatures would be to 8°F (0 to 4°C) 

 cooler than those at Portland, because of Eastport' s northward location. The 

 average temperature at Eastport is 2 °F (1 °C) cooler than the average 

 temperature at Portland (table 2-2) . Temperature distributions at other 

 stations in the coastal zone are given in figure 2-10. Modest differences 



2-13 



10-80 



