A change in the pattern led to more frequent rain events across much of northern and eastern Maine during October. The change in pattern developed early in the month and persisted through the month.
Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
A change in the pattern led to more frequent rain events across much of northern and eastern Maine during October. The change in pattern developed early in the month and persisted through the month. The first rain event occurred on the 2nd...with more frequent rain events occurring through the month. The two largest rain events occurred on the 13th/14th and 16th/17th. During each of these events much of northern Maine and the central highlands received 1 to 3 inch rain totals...with locally greater amounts. The monthly rain total of 7.21 inches at Caribou was the 3rd wettest October on record. The 6.48 inches at Millinocket was the 15th wettest...the 6.08 inches at Houlton was the 9th wettest. Monthly rain totals were generally 130 - 220% of normal across central and northern portions of the region...with the greater departures above normal across northern areas and the central highlands. Rain totals across Downeast areas were more variable...ranging from slightly above normal to below normal.|Rivers and streams responded rapidly to the increased rainfall. Many larger rivers were at record low levels at the start of the month. At months end...many of the rivers across northern areas and the central highlands had recovered to 100 - 250% of normal levels for late October. With the growing season ending and most harvesting finished by months end...agricultural impacts during October were minimized. Much of northern and eastern Maine was in severe drought ( D2 )...with pockets of extreme drought ( D3 )...at the start of the month. At months end...most of northern and eastern Maine had improved to moderate drought ( D1 ) or just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
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 Sep 30, 6:04 PM EST, 5 hours 56 minutes earlier.
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
Drought conditions improved through the month. At months end...conditions ranged from moderate drought ( D1 ) to just abnormally dry ( D0 ).
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maine in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, October 2020
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 921419, 921420, 921422, 921424, 921425, 921427, 921428, 921430, 921431, 921432, 921433.