December 2025 Climate Summary for Northern and Eastern Maine

...DECEMBER 2025 CLIMATE NARRATIVE FOR NORTHERN/EASTERN MAINE...

The December 2025 season was below climatological normal for daily 

maximum, minimum, and average daily temperatures. Around, to 

slightly below, average precipitation fell at all climate sites. In 

terms of snowfall, however, there was more snow than normal at 

Bangor, but below normal snowfall for Caribou. Drought conditions 

persisted, as frost depth continued to increase this month. That 

being said, portions of Washington county did have some drought 

conditions improve by the end of the month. 

Persistent drought continued into December in northern and central 

Maine. The ground was  frozen the entire month in northern counties, 

continuing to restrict any moisture from penetrating down into the 

soil. Frost depth at the beginning of December was 2 inches at the 

Caribou office, gradually diminishing down to a low depth of 1 inch 

during a warm up period around December 19th, but rounded the month 

out to a frost depth of 12 inches. All climate sites recorded 

around, or slightly below, average precipitation. Houlton had the 

largest deficit, receiving only 2.56 inches of precipitation, which 

is 0.81 inches below climatological normal for December. Caribou 

received 2.88 inches of precipitation, which is 0.72 inches below 

normal. Bangor and Millinocket were close to average, with Bangor 

receiving 3.61 inches of precipitation, and Millinocket receiving 

3.41 inches of precipitation, a 0.11 and 0.04 inch deficit 

respectively. 

At the end of November, northern Somerset, northwestern and central 

Aroostook, northern Piscataquis, southern Penobscot, and portions of 

Hancock and Washington counties, were included in severe drought. 

The Central Highlands region, southern Aroostook, and portions of 

far northern Hancock and Washington counties were in moderate 

drought. There was some slight improvement by the end of the month 

for Washington county, as Downeast ground remained unfrozen, and 

snow/rainfall events at the end of the month provided some moisture, 

resulting in the county improving from severe drought to moderate 

drought. Otherwise, the rest of the state was left in the status 

quo. In terms of rivers, all rivers in the region saw river ice 

rapidly thicken. Southern rivers had a brief period of ice break up 

during the mid-December warm up event, but quickly refroze later in 

the month as temperatures fell below freezing once again. 

In terms of snowfall, Bangor had an above average December, 

recording 19.8 inches of snow, which is 5.1 inches above normal for 

December. Caribou only received 24.0 inches of snow, which is 

roughly 1.2 inches below average for December. There were multiple 

snowstorms in December throughout northern and eastern Maine as 

well, adding enough snow to provide a snow pack deep enough to begin 

the ski and snowmobiling season, primarily in the north and central 

region. One such snowstorm event occurred December 2nd, dropping 2-4 

inches of snow in the north, and 7-9 inches of snow in 

northern/central Washington county. On December 10th - 11th, 8-10 

inches of snow fell in eastern Aroostook, 6-8 inches in the rest of 

the northern region, and 1-3 inches Downeast. Two snow squalls were 

observed on December 21st, one in Piscataquis county, and the other 

in Aroostook county, both of which significantly reduced visibility 

and significant wind gusts. December 23-24th, another snow storm 

produced roughly 6-9 inches of snow in southern Piscataquis, western 

Penobscot, and western Hancock counties. Lastly, a nasty mixed 

precipitation event rounded out the end of 2025, dumping about 7-10 

inches of snow in the Crown of Maine and North Woods regions, along 

with around 4 inches in the north. Areas got up to an inch of sleet 

in the north, as well as ½ an inch of freezing rain ice 

accumulation. This storm led to poor road conditions and multiple 

car accidents. At the end of the month, Bangor ended up recording a 

4 inch snow depth, and Caribou a 6 inch snow depth.

Another significant weather event that occurred in December, was a 

high wind event that resulted in multiple power outages, downed 

trees, and road closures, primarily in Downeast Maine. Highest wind 

gusts were in Penobscot county, with a 67 mph gusts recorded in 

Millinocket. 

Temperatures were well below normal at all climate sites, with 

average temperatures generally 5 to 7 degrees below climatological 

normal. Monthly maximum temperatures were below average for 

December, generally 5.0 degrees below climatological normal. Bangor 

had the coldest daytime highs, 5.3 degrees below normal. Millinocket 

average high temperatures were 5.0 degrees below normal. Caribou was 

4.9 degrees below normal. Lastly, Houlton daily high temperatures 

were 4.8 degrees below climatological normal. The warmest day was 

December 19th, which broke multiple records for the daytime high in 

Bangor, Millinocket, and Houlton, with temperatures rising into the 

mid-50s ahead of a warm front.  

Monthly minimum temperatures were generally 6 to 7 degrees below 

climatological normal for all climate sites. Bangor and Houlton had 

the coldest overnight lows, both being 7.4 degrees below normal. 

Caribou had minimum temperature values roughly 6.3 degrees below 

climatological normal. Millinocket low temperatures were 5.9 degrees 

below normal. There was a significant cold spell December 4th-5th, 

with wind chill values reaching down into the -25 to -30 range in 

northern Aroostook county. Values -15 to -20 were recorded Downeast. 

This December was the coldest December for all four climate sites 

since 2017. 

For the month ahead, Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is showing a 

probability of below normal temperatures for the entire state of 

Maine. There is no strong signal for precipitation. For the next 

three months, there is no strong signal for above or below normal 

temperatures or precipitation in Maine. CPC currently has a La Nina 

Advisory issued, where the United States can expect La Nina 

conditions to persist, before transitioning to ENSO-neutral in early 

2026.

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ASB