February 2016 Climate Summary for Northern and Eastern Maine

...Climate Summary for February 2016 for northern and eastern Maine...

Overall, February 2016 finished with much above average for
temperatures and above average precipitation.

At Caribou, the average temperature of 18.4 degrees was 4.3 degrees
above the 30-year average.  It ranked as the 7th warmest February on
record.  At Bangor, the average temperature of 25.2 degrees was 4.4
degrees above average. It tied with 1991 as the 9th warmest February
on record.

A total of 4.05 inches of rain (and melted snow) was observed at
Caribou, which was 1.84 inches above average.  It ranked as the 3rd
wettest February on record. There was a total of 16.9 inches of
snow, which was 5.3 inches below average. At Bangor, a total of
3.89 inches of rain (and melted snow) was observed, which was 1.37
inches above average. It was the 10th wettest February on record. A
total of 19.6 inches of snow was observed, which was 4.9 inches
above average.

Snow depth began the month at only 20 to 40 percent of average
across the region.  At the end of the month there was little or no
snow on the ground at the coast and across most of the Downeast
region.  Across northern areas, snow depth was only a quarter to
third of average. The only exception was in parts of the North Woods
where snow depth was as high as 40 to 50 inches in some areas along
the western Maine border with Quebec.

The outlook from the Climate Predication Center for the month of
March calls for an increased likelihood of above average
temperatures. There are no strong climate signals that would point
toward an unusually wet (snowy) or dry month.

Average temperatures rapidly rise in March. The average highs at
Caribou climb from 28 degrees on the 1st to 40 by the end of the
month. The average lows rise from 9 on the 1st to 22 degrees by the
end of the month. At Bangor, the average highs rise from 35 to 46
degrees, and the average lows rise from 15 to 27 degrees. Average
snowfall at Caribou (Bangor) is 18.3 inches (11.7 inches). Usable
daylight during the month of March increases by just under 2 hours.
Daylight savings time begins at 2 am on Sunday, March 13th.