PORTLAND (WGME)-- Yep, you read the headline right... the longest stretch of consecutive 80+ degree days in Portland history will come crashing to an end on Wednesday as a cold front finally brings much cooler air to Maine. We'll see highs returning to the 70s (or even lower!) for the first time since July 18th.
SO, HOW MUCH LONGER WILL WE BE SWEATING? The pattern that has brought Maine endless warm days is already ending. The northern 1/3 of Maine will be in the 60s with rain for Monday, the last "hot holdouts" will be in the southern part of the state. A cold front is currently bisecting the state, and will take its sweet time working southward over the next 48 hours. That means more heat and humidity from Lewiston to the south through Tuesday. Highs reach the 90s on Monday afternoon, with feels-like temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100. The 90s will be mainly confined to York county on Tuesday, with upper 80s in Portland. There will be a sharp temperature contrast, Augusta may struggle to hit 70 on Tuesday!
HEAT RELIEF ARRIVES! Yes, finally! On Tuesday evening, the cold front will finally clear the Maine-New Hampshire border, allowing cool air to fully spread across all of Maine. We'll be waking up to an entirely different climate on Wednesday morning, with temperatures in the 60s, a cool onshore wind, and low clouds, fog, and drizzle. After the intense heat, it will feel quite refreshing!
DOES IT STICK AROUND? Yes! At least for the next week or so. We'll see some beneficial rain showers Tuesday and Thursday, with drizzle and light rain Wednesday. Dry air replaces the more humid air by Thursday, and the end of the week and next weekend are looking picture perfect. Seasonable highs in the upper 70s, dry air, and lots of sunshine will be the story by Thursday afternoon, the heat long forgotten! Good news for those who are not a fan of this hot, humid weather, the cooler temperatures don't look to be going anywhere anytime soon. It's likely a safe bet we've experienced the hottest weather this summer and 2022 has to offer, so it's all downhill to winter now!