April 2017 Climate Summary for Northern and Eastern Maine

April 2017 finished with above average temperatures. Precipitation was above average, except across portions of the Downeast region where it was slightly below average. Snowfall was above average across far northern Maine, and was near average across the Downeast region.

Temperatures ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 degrees above average. It tied with 1979 as the 8th warmest April at Caribou, and it was also the 8th warmest April on record at Bangor. April 2017 ended as the 7th warmest on record at Houlton.

Liquid precipitation (rain and melted snow) ranged from 100 to 150 percent of normal across northern and eastern Maine, with the exception of parts of eastern Hancock and Washington counties where precipitation ranged from 70 to 100 percent of normal. The total monthly snowfall of 9.8 inches at Caribou was 2.4 inches above normal, and it was the snowiest April since 2011. At Bangor, a total of 2.3 inches of snow was observed, which was 1.4 inches below normal.  There were 4 consecutive days with an inch or more of snow at Caribou from the 19th through the 22nd, which was the most consecutive days with an inch or more of snow entirely during the month of April.

The month featured alternating spells of above and below average temperatures, but overall the above average temperatures dominated and were more persistent than the cool spells. There were a total of 14 nights at caribou with a low temperature of freezing or lower, which was below the long term average of 20 nights. At
bangor, there were 8 nights with a low of freezing or lower, which was below the long term average of 15 nights.

The snow depth at the start of the month ranged from 25 to 35 inches across northern areas, but was 6 inches of less in most areas along the Downeast coast. By the end of the month, the only snow that remained was generally in the more protected locations in the higher elevations of far northern Maine where there were
localized areas with several inches of snow on the ground.

The official outlook for may 2017 from the climate prediction center indicates that there are no strong climate signals that would tilt the odds toward an unusually cold or warm may. There is an increased likelihood of above average precipitation.

The average high at Caribou climbs from 55 degrees in the 1st to 67 degrees by the end of the month. At Bangor, the average highs climb from 60 degrees on the 1st to 70 degrees at the end of the month. The average lows at Caribou rise from 35F on the 1st to 45F by the end of the month. At Bangor, the average lows rise from 38F on the 1st to 47F by the end of the month. There is an increase of over an hour or available daylight during the month of May.