Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of the 6th in advance of a cold front crossing the region. Several of the storms became severe producing damaging winds and large hail.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS CAR wrote it up.
Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of the 6th in advance of a cold front crossing the region. Several of the storms became severe producing damaging winds and large hail.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Caribou, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 6, 11:46 AM EST, 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Caribou ME 1246 PM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will push across the area today. An upper level trough will move through Eastern Canada on Sunday. High pressure will build in from the west Monday into Tuesday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... 1245 PM update...Scattered showers and thunderstorms have been developing across northern portions of our area over the past couple of hours. This activity should continue to grow in areal coverage and strength through the afternoon. The latest SPC Day 1 outlook still has much of our area in a Slight Risk, so have added severe wording to those regions that have the best chance, mainly along and south of a Houlton to Dover-Foxcroft line, and away from the coast. Storms have yet to move into interior Downeast, but should do so over the next hour or two. Also, temperatures are already at or above previously forecasted highs for today, likely due to more sunshine that what was anticipated. Have therefore bumped up highs 2-5 degrees in many spots. No other changes were needed. Previous Discussion.... It looks to be an active day today with the potential for strong to severe tstms. First round of showers and isolated tstms moving e attm w/the pre-frontal trof. The latest run of the HRRR and NAM doing quite well w/the placement. This activity will stabilize the atmosphere for a while this morning, but things look to change later in the morning. Satellite IR imagery showed clearing behind the first batch of rainfall which will allow for heating by mid morning and therefore, destabilizing the atmosphere. The next set of convection is forecast to set up across the western areas later this morning and then slide e ahead of the apchg cold front. Latest instability parameters from the NAM/GFS and Hi Res WRF show CAPE values of 1500-2000 joules across much of the area w/PWATS hitting 1.3 inches. A nice jet streak noted on the 00Z ua of 35-40 kts at 700-500mbs set to move through the region helping to enforce the convection. Other parameters such as the showalter index of -2. total totals of 50+ and mid level lapse rates of 6.5+ c/km point to potential for strong to severe tstms. Wind profile off the bufkit soundings show straight line winds w/the storms and heavy rainfall. Freezing Levels/WBZ forecast to actually drop from 13.0k ft this morning down to 11.5 k ft. So, hail is a concern as well. The HRRR showed a cluster of storms moving into northern areas by 1-2pm w/some strong cells near the Caribou- Presque Isle area. As the storms continue to push e, a line or bowing segments look to set as far s as the Bangor-Calais region. SPC has kept the region in a Marginal Risk for severe weather. Decided to push the enhanced wording further to the n including the Caribou-Presque Isle area given what was mentioned above. Will adjust teh Hazardous Weather Outlook to cover the severe potential. Activity will end this evening from west to east w/the cold front reaching the coast. Much cooler air is forecast to move into the region tonight w/partial clearing. There will be a noticeable difference in the airmass by early Sunday morning. Overnight low temps are expected to be in the low to mid 50s across the n and w and upper 50s to lower 60s central and downeast areas. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Sunday will be a bit cooler than recent days as the cold front pushes offshore and high pressure begins to build in from the west. A trough of low pressure will be moving through Quebec. Some moisture in the trough combined with cool air aloft will result in scattered showers across the north during the midday and afternoon Sunday. Some isolated thunderstorms are possible. Lower freezing levels may result in some small hail in a few of these storms. Any showers will dissipate Sunday evening following the days heating. High pressure building in from the west will then bring a mostly sunny, dry and comfortable day on Monday. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... High pressure will crest over the region on Tuesday bringing a sunny and seasonable day with light winds across the region. High pressure will slide offshore on Wednesday as a cold front approaches. South southwesterly winds around the high and ahead of the front will bring increasing humidity Wednesday. Some thunderstorms will likely move into western areas late in the day. Convection will be supported by upper level divergence between a deep trough of low pressure centered over Hudson bay and upper level high pressure well south of our area. Thunderstorms may move across the area and continue into Wednesday night. The front will then push offshore on Thursday as high pressure builds in bringing a return of clearer and dryer conditions. High pressure will bring sunny and comfortable weather on Friday. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... NEAR TERM: 645 PM Update...stratus filling in especially across northern terminals this morning w/IFR conditions. Still expecting conditions to improve to VFR by mid morning w/heating. Strong to possibly severe tstms this afternoon. Some storms could have strong wind gusts(40+ kts) and hail > 1/2 inch. VFR expected tonight w/the passage of a cold front. SHORT TERM: VFR conditions are expected on Sunday with the possible localized exception of any thundershowers across the north. VFR conditions are then expected Sunday night through Tuesday. VFR conditions on Wednesday may lower to MVFR or IFR in any thundershowers Wednesday afternoon. && .MARINE... NEAR TERM: 1000 AM update...Seas are currently hovering near 5 ft this morning. Much of the wave guidance indicates this will only continue for a couple of hours and then waves will subside to 3-4 ft early this afternoon. Therefore, have opted to not issue a Small Craft Advisory at this time. Previous discussion...Seas are expected to build to a range of 4-5 ft w/a southerly swell continuing. Winds will increase to 15 kts w/gusts around 20 kts. No headlines expected attm. Rip current risk today is in the Moderate category w/rip currents possible. Some tstms are possible later this afternoon into the early evening. Winds will shift to the wnw tonight w/the passage of the cold front. Seas will drop back w/the offshore wind to 2-4 ft. SHORT TERM: A few wind gusts may approach 20 kt over the offshore waters Sunday into Monday in northwest flow as high pressure pushes in from the west. Otherwise, winds and seas should remain below SCA into early next week. && .CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. MARINE...None. && Near Term...Hastings/Hewitt Short Term...Bloomer Long Term...Bloomer Aviation...Hastings/Hewitt/Bloomer Marine...Hastings/Hewitt/Bloomer
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME 516 AM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 MEZ001>006-010-011-015>017-029>032-070930- NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN SOMERSET- NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK- CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS-CENTRAL PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT- INTERIOR HANCOCK-CENTRAL WASHINGTON-COASTAL HANCOCK- COASTAL WASHINGTON-SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN WASHINGTON- 516 AM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR COASTAL DOWNEAST MAINE...EAST CENTRAL MAINE...EASTERN MAINE...FAR NORTHERN MAINE...INTERIOR DOWNEAST MAINE...NORTH CENTRAL MAINE...NORTHERN MAINE AND WEST CENTRAL MAINE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. ...STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON... STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO EARLY EVENING. THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS APPEARS TO BE FROM NORTHEAST MAINE DOWN ACROSS THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS INTO THE INTERIOR DOWNEAST REGION. STRONG WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH ALONG WITH HAIL AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED WITH THE STRONGER STORMS ALONG WITH CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANZ050>052-070930- COASTAL WATERS FROM EASTPORT, ME TO SCHOODIC POINT, ME OUT 25 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM SCHOODIC POINT, ME TO STONINGTON, ME OUT 25 NM- INTRA COASTAL WATERS FROM SCHOODIC POINT, ME TO STONINGTON, ME- 516 AM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. HEWITT
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME 919 AM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 MEZ001>006-010-011-015>017-029>032-061630- NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN SOMERSET- NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK- CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS-CENTRAL PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT- INTERIOR HANCOCK-CENTRAL WASHINGTON-COASTAL HANCOCK- COASTAL WASHINGTON-SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN WASHINGTON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALLAGASH...CLAYTON LAKE...MADAWASKA... FORT KENT...FRENCHVILLE...PRESQUE ISLE...CARIBOU...VAN BUREN... MARS HILL...BAKER LAKE...BILLY-JACK DEPOT...BAXTER ST PARK... CHAMBERLAIN LAKE...CHURCHILL DAM...MOUNT KATAHDIN...MILLINOCKET... EAST MILLINOCKET...PATTEN...MEDWAY...HOULTON...HODGDON... SHERMAN...SMYRNA MILLS...GREENVILLE...MONSON...BLANCHARD... LINCOLN...HOWLAND...SPRINGFIELD...BANGOR...BREWER...ORONO... OLD TOWN...AMHERST...AURORA...DEDHAM...EASTBROOK...GREAT POND... ORLAND...DEBLOIS...GRAND LAKE STREAM...MEDDYBEMPS...PEMBROKE... PERRY...PRINCETON...ELLSWORTH...BAR HARBOR...BLUE HILL... EASTPORT...MACHIAS...CHERRYFIELD...DOVER-FOXCROFT...MILO... GUILFORD...DANFORTH...VANCEBORO...TOPSFIELD 919 AM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 ...STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING... STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN, CENTRAL, AND INTERIOR DOWNEAST MAINE. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN TO DEVELOP EARLY THIS AFTERNOON AND THEN MOVE SOUTHWARD TOWARD THE COAST INTO EARLY EVENING. WHILE THE STRONGEST STORMS SHOULD OCCUR ALONG AND SOUTH OF A MARS HILL TO GREENVILLE LINE, EVEN THUNDERSTORMS NORTH OF THIS LINE WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WINDS, TORRENTIAL RAINFALL, AND SMALL HAIL. REMEMBER, ALL THUNDERSTORMS CAN CONTAIN DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAN QUICKLY BECOME SEVERE, PRODUCING LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WINDS, DEADLY LIGHTNING, AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. PLEASE REMAIN WEATHER AWARE TODAY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE ANY OUTDOOR PLANS. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET FOR UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME 109 PM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 MEZ005-010-031-061745- CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS- 109 PM EDT SAT AUG 6 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN PISCATAQUIS AND NORTHWESTERN PENOBSCOT COUNTIES... AT 108 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR EBEEMEE...OR 9 MILES NORTHWEST OF BROWNVILLE JUNCTION...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND HALF INCH HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... BROWNVILLE JUNCTION...MILO...LAKE VIEW PLANTATION... WHITE CAP MOUNTAIN...EBEEMEE...BROWNVILLE...MEDFORD...BEAVER COVE... BOWERBANK...LAKE VIEW...WEST SEBOEIS...KATAHDIN IRON WORKS... EBEEMEE LAKE...WILLIAMSBURG AND BARNARD. THIS INCLUDES STATE HIGHWAY 11 BETWEEN BROWNVILLE AND WEST SEBOEIS. LAT...LON 4553 6887 4528 6881 4531 6931 4558 6935 TIME...MOT...LOC 1708Z 255DEG 25KT 4546 6916 OKULSKI
The Caribou radar (KCBW), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:24 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were toppled on to power lines across town by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph.
Several trees were toppled by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Three to four trees were toppled around town by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Several trees were toppled by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Trees were toppled along Arab Road by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph.
Several trees were toppled by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Several trees were toppled at Jimmy Libby Cove on Big Lake by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. A large pine tree fell on a house causing damage to the home. The time is estimated.
Several trees were toppled along Kennebec Road by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Several trees were toppled along South Main Street by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
Several trees were toppled around town by wind gusts estimated at 60 mph. The time is estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maine in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, August 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 652027, 652029, 652043, 652033, 652036, 652045, 652039, 652047, 652058, 652049, 652052, 652054.