Wednesday, July 09, 2014

A very wet start to July in Northern and Eastern Main


Through July 8th, a total of 4.27 inches of rain has been
observed at Caribou, which is 3.18 inches above normal. In
fact, we have already surpassed the average rainfall for the
entire month of July of 4.08 inches. It ranks as the 2nd wettest
start to the month of July on record behind only 1973 when there
was 4.34 inches of rain during the first 8 days of July.

On July 5th a total of 2.34 inches of rain was observed. Not only
did this smash the calendar day record of 1.50 inches set in
2002, it ranked as the 4th greatest calendar day rainfall ever
during the month of July. The only days to ever be wetter in July
were July 17, 2013 when 3.81 inches of rain fell in a heavy
thunderstorm, July 4, 2011 when 2.58 inches of rain fell, and
July 22, 1982 when 2.42 inches of rain was observed.

The two day total of 3.88 inches of rain on the 4th into the 5th
was the all-time greatest 2 day rainfall total ever observed at
Caribou during the month of July. It broke the old 2 day record of
3.81 inches that was set just last year during a heavy
thunderstorm. Five of the top 10 wettest 2 day rainfall totals
have been observed in just the past 4 years. It also ranked as the
10th greatest two day total rainfall on record for any time of the
year.

At Bangor, a total of 3.70 inches of rain has been observed this
Month, which is 2.86 inches above normal. Bangor has also
surpassed their average rainfall for the entire month of July of
3.46 inches. It has been the wettest start to the month of of July
on record surpassing 1973 when 3.4 inches of rain fell during the
first 8 days of the month.

Two calendar day rainfall records have been either tied or broken
this month. On the 4th, a total of 1.33 inches of rain
fell, which broke the previous calendar day record of 0.74" set
in 1936. On the 5th, a total of 2.12 inches of rain was observed.
This tied the calendar day record first established in 1973. The
two day total of 3.45 inches ranked as the 2nd greatest two day
total ever observed during the month of July. The all-time record
is 4.07 inches set July 28-29, 1969. It did not rank in the top 25
of all-time two day rainfall totals of anytime of the year.

Also of note...A total of 24.08 inches of rain (and melted snow)
has been observed so far this year at Caribou. This ranks as the
3rd wettest year to date at caribou behind only 1973 and 2011.
Year to date the total of 21.70 inches of rain (and melted snow) has
fallen at Bangor, which does not rank in the top 20 wettest years
to date on record.