Thunderstorms developed across northern Maine during the afternoon of the 28th in advance of an approaching cold front. An isolated severe thunderstorm in the Caribou area produced locally damaging winds which snapped nine trees in a very localized area.
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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 across northern Maine during the afternoon of the 28th in advance of an approaching cold front. An isolated severe thunderstorm in the Caribou area produced locally damaging winds which snapped nine trees in a very localized area.
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 Jun 28, 12:09 PM EST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Caribou ME 109 PM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A weakening cold front will approach the area today and cross the area Wednesday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... 107 pm Update...Line of storms setting up across portions of northern and western areas as previously forecast. QPF/Rainfall needed to boosted through 8 pm(00Z) as the latest runs of the HRRR 3KM and NAM12 are doing well w/the placement & QPF amounts. Main threat continues to be very heavy rainfall with potential for flash flooding. Strong wind gusts(up to 55 mph) possible in the stronger cores. These threats have been addressed in the Hazardous Weather Outlook(HWO). 16z surface analysis showed llvl convergence zone setting up in the line of storms out ahead of the slow moving cold front. A nice theta e axis showing up in the same area will aid in heavy rainfall. Hrly temps were adjusted based on the latest conditions. Previous Discussion... Hi-res ensembles hint at the possibility for 2 to 3 inches over about 6 hours in the southwest/northeast oriented line from about early afternoon into early evening, wherever that line sets up. Thankfully, it's been quite dry leading up to this, so larger river flooding isn't a concern, and the ground should be able to handle some rainfall. Still, will have to keep a close eye on things, and anyone traveling or recreating in Northern Maine should be aware of the flooding possibility. Continued wet into tonight with the higher precip chances expanding southeast to the rest of the forecast area. Can't rule out some thunderstorms anywhere in the forecast area tonight. Mild temperatures again tonight as well. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Most models indicate left ovr cnvctn from Tue ngt ending across the NW and xtrm NE ME durg the erly morn hrs, only to be replaced by new cnvctn midday into the aftn msly across N cntrl and NE ME as the upper trof from SE QB lifts NE across the region. Again, we highlight hvy rnfl enhanced wording with any tstms durg the day Wed and show the max QPF orientation a little further E than where cnvctn later tdy into tngt is xpctd to occur. Cannot rule out lclzd flooding, but based on current flash flood guidance, most lctns should be able to handle at least some hvy rnfl. The best potential of flooding will be across any overlap areas of potential cnvctn later tdy into tngt. Sig rnfl should then move E of the FA Wed eve, with some clrg spcly to the SW ptns of the FA late Wed ngt. After mild ovrngt lows, temps should reach at or abv normal highs Thu aftn with skies last to clr ovr NE ptns of the FA. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Mostly clr skies are xpctd Thu ngt into Fri early aftn. cannot rule out patchy valley fog late Thu ngt, spcly ovr areas receiving sig rnfl, to early to mention in the fcst attm. Hi temps Fri should reach at or just abv 80 deg ovr lower trrn lctns N of the immediate coast. Clds then begin to increase from the SW later Fri aftn as an upper lvl trof from the great lks begins to apch. This system will bring shwrs to the region Fri ngt and a chc of tstms on Sat as the upper trof slowly crosses the region. Cooler and less humid air will follow for the region Sat ngt thru Mon, with additional s/wvs from Cntrl Can resulting in aftn and eve shwrs both on Sun and Mon. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... NEAR TERM: IFR and MVFR ceilings this morning south of Presque Isle. Some improvement in ceilings, although most areas near the coast should remain MVFR through the day. Over the north, from Presque Isle north, any storms that develop this afternoon could bring visibilities or ceilings down to MVFR or even IFR, but outside of storms, expect generally VFR later today. By late tonight, expect all areas to drop to IFR with rain. SHORT TO LONG TERM: Clgs and attms, vsbys, will be IFR in shwrs and possible tstms on Wed, improving to MVFR by Wed ngt and then to VFR on Thu. VFR should cont Thu ngt thru Fri eve, with clgs and attms, vsbys, lowering to MVFR again late Fri ngt into Sat in shwrs and possible tstms. && .MARINE... NEAR TERM: South winds around 15 knots with seas 2 to 4 feet will persist today into tonight. Fog expected on the waters tonight, as well as a chance at storms. SHORT TO LONG TERM: Winds and wvs are xpctd to be below SCA thresholds thru the ptns of the fcst, with 2 to 4ft wv hts ovr outer MZs and arnd 2ft for the inner bay/harbor MZ. Went with about 85 to 90 percent of WW3 wv guidance for fcst wv hts. Otherwise, marine ST/fog will result in low vsbys Wed, with improving vsbys by Wed ngt. && .CAR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. MARINE...None. && Near Term...Hewitt
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME 1028 AM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 MEZ001>006-010-011-031-032-291430- NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN SOMERSET- NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK- CENTRAL PISCATAQUIS-CENTRAL PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PISCATAQUIS- NORTHERN WASHINGTON- 1028 AM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL MAINE...EASTERN MAINE...FAR NORTHERN MAINE...NORTH CENTRAL MAINE...NORTHERN MAINE AND WEST CENTRAL MAINE. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL... THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED ACROSS NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST MAINE. IN ADDITION TO THE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL...SOME THUNDERSTORMS COULD CONTAIN STRONG WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. THERE IS POTENTIAL THAT THE HEAVY RAINFALL COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE URBAN AREAS. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. FOR WEDNESDAY...HEAVY SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED STORMS COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING OR FLASH FLOODING OVER NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. MEZ015>017-029-030-291430- SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT-INTERIOR HANCOCK-CENTRAL WASHINGTON- COASTAL HANCOCK-COASTAL WASHINGTON- 1028 AM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR COASTAL DOWNEAST MAINE AND INTERIOR DOWNEAST MAINE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. FOR WEDNESDAY...HEAVY SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED STORMS COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING OR FLASH FLOODING OVER NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANZ050>052-291430- 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- 1028 AM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. 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. HEWITT
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME 136 PM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 MEZ001>004-282200- NORTHWEST AROOSTOOK-NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN SOMERSET- NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS- 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 136 PM EDT TUE JUN 28 2016 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTAIN TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AND STRONG WIND GUSTS THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON... A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO REDEVLOP ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE REGION THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS. RAINFALL RATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR IN THE STRONGER STORMS WILL LEAD TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING. MOTORISTS TRAVELING ALONG ROUTES 1...164 AND 161 NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL. IN ADDITION TO THE FLASH FLOODING THREAT WILL BE THE POTENTIAL STRONG WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH IN THE STRONGEST STORMS AND LIGHTNING. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA, TAKE COVER IN A SHELTER OR BUILDING. STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAN BECOME SEVERE, PRODUCING LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WINDS, DEADLY LIGHTNING, AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. HEWITT
The Caribou radar (KCBW), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:56 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Nine full sized trees were snapped in a very localized area 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, June 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: 643109.