CARIBOU, Maine — High temperatures over the weekend broke several historical records for the day and season in parts of northern and eastern Maine.
Caribou set a record of 84 degrees for the day, officials with the National Weather Service in Caribou said Monday, adding that it also was the highest temperature ever observed so late in the season. Before Sunday, the highest temperature recorded latest in the season was 82 degrees on Oct. 9, 2011.
Houlton also saw a high temperature Sunday of 84 degrees, which forecasters said broke the previous record of 77 degrees on Sept. 28, 1959. Not only was it a daily record, but it also was the highest temperature ever observed so late in the season, according to the weather service. Before Sunday, the warmest temperature had been 82 degrees on Oct. 9, 1970.
In Bangor, the high temperature Sunday was a record-setting 84 degrees, breaking the previous record for that same date and for latest high temperature in the season of 83 degrees on Sept. 28, 1948.
In Millinocket, the high Sunday of 85 degrees smashed the old record of 79 degrees set in 1916. It also topped the warmest temperature on record for the season of 83 set on Oct. 18, 1947.
In southern Maine, temperatures did not reach as high but Portland did break one record for heat, according to the National Weather Service in Gray. Officials said Monday afternoon that Portland reached 84 degrees Saturday, topping a previous record of 80 degrees for the day.
The weather was much different in Aroostook County on Monday, with overcast skies and temperatures in the 50s. However, several people were still thinking about the weekend.
“I was out walking [Saturday and Sunday], and my kids were playing in the yard until it got dark,” said Linda Gray of Houlton. “My kids kept wishing we could go to the ice cream store, but it was closed.”
Jack Harrison of Caribou said he “absolutely loved” the weekend weather.
“I have eight grandchildren and they are all boys,” he said Monday. “So we played touch football and had one last barbecue in the backyard. But what a change today is. But that’s Maine for you.”