NOAA Predicts Maine Will See a Scorching July and August This Summer

Fresh off a heat wave that sent people throughout New England scurrying for air conditioning, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has dropped their quarterly temperature and precipitation forecast for the country. And if you like heat, you're about to get plenty of it.

The NOAA gives Maine and all of New England a 60-70% chance of spending the majority of July, August, and September in above-average temperatures.Typically, the NOAA prediction suggests that a state or region will regularly see temperatures 5-10 degrees over their normal average.

So what's the normal average? According to the Maine Tourism Association, the average July high temperature in Maine is about 72 degrees. August is just a little bit warmer, averaging a high temperature of 74 degrees. Some quick math suggests upper-70's and low-80's throughout July and August is likely.

In New England, that kind of consistent heat typically brings along some precipitation. The NOAA is predicting just that. Alongside their temperature outlook, the NOAA also released their precipitation outlook, which promises plenty of wet weather mixed in with those hot days.

The NOAA predicts Maine and New England will see a 30-40% chance of increased precipitation over the next three months. That won't be music to Mainers' ears, as last July, the state saw double the average rainfall in what is typically one of its sunniest and driest months.

The one silver lining is that with the El Niño weather phenomenon no longer sitting over the region, the chances that Maine and New England has another washout of a summer is unlikely. Wear your sunscreen, plan a trip to the lake, and make sure that air conditioning unit is ready when you need it.