Showers and thunderstorms developed along a slow moving sea breeze boundary across central Androscoggin County on the afternoon into early evening of the 25th. The storm produced rainfall rates between 2 and 3 inches an hour on top of already saturated soils.
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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 GYX wrote it up.
Showers and thunderstorms developed along a slow moving sea breeze boundary across central Androscoggin County on the afternoon into early evening of the 25th. The storm produced rainfall rates between 2 and 3 inches an hour on top of already saturated soils. This ended up leading to multiple instances of flash flooding, specifically in the Cities of Auburn and Lewiston. In addition to the more significant flash flooding, trees were reported down in numerous locations due to convective outflow winds.
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 Gray, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 25, 2:06 PM EST, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 306 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible again this evening as an upper level trough moves towards New England. There will be a brief dry period on Wednesday as high pressure builds in. It will then become very warm and uncomfortably humid for much of the remainder of the work week, with a return of showers and thunderstorms. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Water vapor imagery shows a compact short wave over PA/NY that will trek across the forecast area through this evening. This wave will continue to trigger thunderstorms through this evening with a few storms capable of strong winds and isolated instances of flash flooding. Similar to yesterday, there isn't much of a front for storms to organize along. This is creating some variance amongst the 12Z CAM suite as to where storms will initiate as well as how strong storms will become. A broad consensus focuses storms along the western Maine foothills towards the Maine coastline with a secondary area of focus across southern New Hampshire into far SW Maine later this evening. The convective parameter spaces is currently characterized by 1000 to 1500 J/kg of ML CAPE and 25 to 30 kts of effective shear. This will be sufficient enough for a few strong updrafts that could lead to some gusty outflow winds or potentially a strong to severe downburst if any storms collapse. Modest mid level lapse rates around 6C/km could also lead to some hail, and there is a non zero risk for some marginal severe hail. What is more of a concern is the increase in PWATs to around 1.5 inches and the potential for slow moving storms along a convergence zone near the Maine foothills and another convergence zone across MA that could shift into southern NH later this evening. Storms have already developed over east-central Oxford County in line with most runs of the HRRR since early this morning. Similar to yesrday's storm that produced flash flooding, the HRRR suggest these storms will be slow moving. The 12Z HREF 3-hour max QPF shows isolated pockets of up to 3-4 inches suggesting this is the high end of heavy rainfall potential. Looking at the 12Z HREF 3-hour ensemble mean only tops out around 0.5 inches indicating the isolated nature of heaviest rainfall. Thus, the greatest threat appears to be isolated instances of flash flooding followed by strong winds and possibly some small to near severe hail stones. Convection wanes between 8 and 10 PM this evening with clearing skies overnight. Fog will be likely across areas that do see rainfall and along sheltered valleys with patchy fog elsewhere. Lows will range from the upper 50s north to mid 60s south. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY/... Fair weather looks to be in store for Wednesday as high pressure builds in from the southwest. SW flow will allow for temperatures to climb into the mid to upper 80s, while some onshore wind component will keep the beaches several degrees cooler than the interior. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... The big picture in the long term will be the potential for an organized convective/MCS on Thursday with heavy rain/severe storms accompanied and followed by sultry heat that will increase into Friday. This will be followed by a welcome cool down Sunday into next week. Wednesday night will be quiet across the area in the wake of the passing ridge. Meanwhile a pair of shortwave troughs and associated frontal system will be progressing eastward out of NY. Concern is growing for strong/severe storms and torrential rainfall with this system. The LLJ around 40-50kt will be paralleling the warm front as it noses into New England late Thursday morning. PWATs are projected to surge over 2" with warm cloud depths >12kft. The trends have favored a track from NY and into NH/ME by midday Thursday, however a lot of uncertainty remains with this exact location/track which could have great impacts on our forecast. For now, have added the pops/clouds expected with the convection, which will have the effect of limiting our potential heating for the day. If not for the convection, temperatures would shoot up into the upper 80s to low/mid 90s as 850H temps climb to 17-19C. SPC Day 3 outlook has the southern half of the forecast area in a slight risk, and a marginal risk elsewhere. The WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook (ERO) has the area in a marginally risk for flash flooding. Confidence in the track could lead to adjustments in these categories. Something to closely monitor with future forecast packages. Showers and thunderstorms could linger Thursday evening, but as the best jet dynamics weaken and push east with the wave expect coverage to lessen. It will be a warm and muggy night with dewpoints in the 70s. This will support a rapid warm up on Friday, with heat inidices near to just below headline criteria in southern areas. Some scattered convection is possible, but not widespread enough to limit heat with cloud coverage. Once again there will be concerns for heavy rainfall. Attention then turns to an approaching cold front Friday Night into Saturday morning, continuing rain chances. Looking at a notable cool down Sunday This front will also bring a significant cool down to the region. While 850H temps +8C-10C. This will translate to high temperatures in the mid 70s, with the higher terrain areas possibly seeing highs only in the upper 60s. This cooler weather will continue into Monday as the upper level trough lingers over Quebec. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Short Term... Scattered thunderstorms will develop through this evening and will likely bring periods of restrictions if they track over a TAF site. KHIE, KLEB, and KRKD look to be the most likely sites to miss a passing TS while TS cannot be ruled out at other TAF sites. Valley and coastal fog will likely bring LIFR conditions to KLEB, KHIE, and KRKD tonight and there is potential for IFR to LIFR at KAUG. Patchy fog may impact remaining TAF sites although confidence is lower. VFR prevails under high pressure Wednesday. Long Term...The ridge will break down on Wednesday night allowing a shortwave into New England, which will bring sct to numerous TSRA to the terminals from west to east. Mainly VFR conditions expected Friday apart from fog possible. && .MARINE... Short Term...Thunderstorms that form over the land may track out into the near shore waters through this evening. SW flow prevails tonight through Wednesday with winds and seas remaining below SCA thresholds. High pressure builds into the waters late tonight into WEdnesday. Long Term...The Bermuda High builds offshore late Wednesday through the latter half of the week bringing predominately S to SW winds around 10 to 15 kt, then veers to the NW Saturday evening after a cold front pushes offshore. Seas will be around 2-3 ft. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...Jamison NEAR TERM...Schroeter SHORT TERM...Schroeter LONG TERM...Jamison AVIATION...Schroeter
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Gray ME 305 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023 MEZ012>014-018>028-033-NHZ005>015-261915- Southern Oxford-Southern Franklin-Southern Somerset-Interior York- Central Interior Cumberland-Androscoggin-Kennebec-Interior Waldo- Coastal York-Coastal Cumberland-Sagadahoc-Lincoln-Knox-Coastal Waldo- Interior Cumberland Highlands-Southern Grafton-Southern Carroll- Sullivan-Merrimack-Belknap-Strafford-Cheshire-Eastern Hillsborough- Interior Rockingham-Coastal Rockingham- Western And Central Hillsborough- 305 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Maine, south central Maine, southwest Maine, western Maine, New Hampshire, central New Hampshire, northern New Hampshire and southern New Hampshire. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with a marginal risk for both severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall today and a few storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts or flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a marginal to slight risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday, with damaging winds and hail being the main threats. There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall from locally heavy downpours as well on Thursday, and again on Friday. The combination of temperatures nearing 90 degrees and dew points in the low 70s will result in heat indices in the lower 90s on Thursday, and mid-90s Friday. These values will be focused in southern New Hampshire Thursday, spreading north and east through interior Maine Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MEZ007>009-NHZ001>004-261915- Northern Oxford-Northern Franklin-Central Somerset-Northern Coos- Southern Coos-Northern Grafton-Northern Carroll- 305 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Maine, western Maine and northern New Hampshire. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with a marginal risk for both severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall today and a few storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts or flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday, with damaging winds and hail being the main threats. There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall from locally heavy downpours as well on Thursday, and again on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ150>154-261915- Coastal Waters from Stonington, ME to Port Clyde, ME out 25 NM- Penobscot Bay- Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25 NM- Casco Bay- Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out 25 NM- 305 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
237 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
MEZ012-251915-
Southern Oxford ME-
237 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Oxford
County through 315 PM EDT...
At 236 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Bethel, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bethel, Turner, Rumford, Jay, Dixfield, Canton, Mexico, Livermore,
Buckfield, Hartford, Greenwood, West Paris, Woodstock, Sumner,
Milton, Peru, Albany, Paris and Norway.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4444 7027 4442 7026 4441 7027 4436 7026
4426 7030 4426 7077 4442 7080 4458 7035
4458 7032 4455 7029 4454 7030 4454 7029
4451 7028 4450 7025 4446 7024
TIME...MOT...LOC 1836Z 258DEG 15KT 4436 7062
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
321 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
MEZ020-021-252000-
Androscoggin ME-Kennebec ME-
321 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central
Kennebec and north central Androscoggin Counties through 400 PM
EDT...
At 320 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Canton, or 11 miles north of Turner, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jay, Livermore Falls, Leeds, Livermore, Chesterville, Fayette and
Wayne.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4437 7002 4436 7026 4441 7027 4442 7026
4444 7027 4448 7020 4449 7014 4449 7005
TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 258DEG 21KT 4443 7026
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MSCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
400 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
MEZ021-252030-
Kennebec ME-
400 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Kennebec County through 430 PM EDT...
At 358 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Livermore Falls, or 15 miles southwest of Oakland,
moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Waterville, Fairfield, Oakland, Belgrade, Manchester, Chesterville,
Fayette, Sidney, Rome, Mount Vernon, Vassalboro, Vienna, Readfield,
Wayne, Smithfield and Winslow.
This includes Interstate 95 between mile markers 117 and 128.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
If on or near Great Pong and nearby lakes, get out of the water and
move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out
to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder,
you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 4437 7007 4449 7012 4449 7004 4451 7003
4453 7007 4454 7006 4461 6983 4458 6982
4458 6980 4461 6978 4461 6976 4459 6968
4454 6965 4442 6963
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 256DEG 27KT 4446 7000
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MSCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
425 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
MEZ020-021-252100-
Androscoggin ME-Kennebec ME-
425 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Kennebec and
east central Androscoggin Counties through 500 PM EDT...
At 423 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Manchester to 6 miles south of Turner.
Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, Gardiner, Turner, China, Litchfield,
Belgrade, Farmingdale, Manchester, Hallowell, Winthrop, Greene,
Bowdoin, Chelsea, Leeds, Wales, Randolph, Monmouth and Sidney.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 295 between mile markers 49 and 51.
Interstate 95 between mile markers 89 and 120.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Cobbosseecontee Lake, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 4439 6948 4418 6982 4416 6986 4411 6992
4412 6999 4411 7001 4416 7030 4446 6984
4442 6947
TIME...MOT...LOC 2023Z 278DEG 24KT 4441 6982 4418 7021
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MSCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
515 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
MEZ020-021-252145-
Androscoggin ME-Kennebec ME-
515 PM EDT Tue Jul 25 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Kennebec and east central Androscoggin Counties through 545 PM EDT...
At 514 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Turner, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lewiston, Auburn, Turner, Litchfield, Winthrop, Greene, Leeds, Wales,
Monmouth and Wayne.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4412 7021 4426 7024 4435 7003 4416 6990
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 250DEG 10KT 4423 7016
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MSCThe Portland,ME radar (KGYX), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm outflow winds downed a tree and powerlines blocking Rt 202.
Severe thunderstorm outflow winds downed a large tree onto a house and outbuilding in Sabattus, no injuries occurred.
Severe thunderstorm outflow winds downed multiple trees and wires on Bolster St.
Severe thunderstorm outflow winds downed trees and wires on College St. in Lewiston.
Heavy rain reported at 3 to 5 inches fell across the Lewiston/Auburn area during the early evening hours of the 25th. This nearly stationary storm caused major disruptions to the evening commute as a number of primary thruways were closed. The flooding started in Lewiston when North Temple Road closed, followed shortly by Main Street. Cars stalled and were submerged in the floodwaters. As the event unfolded the flooding extended to southern Lewiston over Adams Avenue near the Public Works Department, and flooded parking lots at Bates College.
Heavy rain reported at 3 to 5 inches fell across the Lewiston/Auburn area during the early evening hours of the 25th. This nearly stationary storm caused major disruptions to the evening commute as a number of primary thruways were closed. The worst hit areas were Court Street near the river, Center Street, and Route 202.
Severe thunderstorm outflow winds downed trees and power lines on Hardscrabble Rd. in Lewiston.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maine in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, July 2023
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: 1127809, 1127830, 1127814, 1127819, 1124062, 1124063, 1127823.