Gulf of Maine Region

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook 

March 2015

Quarterly Climate Impacts 

and Outlook

Gulf of Maine Region

March 2015

www.drought.gov/drought/content/resources/reports

www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.

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#regionalclimateoutlooks

 Gulf of Maine Significant Events - for December 2014–February 2015

Precipitation Sea Surface Temperatures

Regional Climate Overview - for December 2014–February 2015

Extremely cold air dominated the region in February. Monthly average 

temperatures were colder than normal by as much as 8°C (14.4°F). Many sites 

(including Concord, NH; Portland, ME; Saint John, NB; and Yarmouth, NS) 

ranked the month as the coldest or one of the coldest Februaries on record, and 

some even cited it as one of their coldest months ever. While Fredericton, NB, 

normally sees 11 days above freezing in February, this February the site only had 

one day above freezing. The combination of cold air and strong winds produced 

some extreme wind chills across the region. 

Multiple major storms, including three blizzards, moved through the region 

in February. On the 15th, a particularly strong nor’easter, with winds of up 

to 108 km/h (67 mph), caused up to 15 hours of blizzard conditions and 

coastal flooding. The storm also dropped up to 66 cm (26 in) of snow. Another 

nor’easter in late February produced snow rates of up to 9 cm (3.5 in) per hour, 

with snow totals up to 50 cm (20 in). Many areas saw 200% to 600% of normal 

snowfall in February, with sites such as Halifax, NS, and Saint John, NB, having 

their snowiest or one of their snowiest Februaries on record. Parts of New 

Brunswick had up to five times the normal snow on the ground, with Saint John 

having its greatest February snow depth on record. Boston, MA, received 164.6 

cm (64.8 in) of snow during the month, which is more than the city normally 

gets in an entire snow season. The site set many records including all-time 

snowiest month, snowiest February, snowiest winter, snowiest year, greatest 

snow depth, and greatest number of 30+ cm (12+ in) snowfalls. 

Several intense storms struck the region in January. From January 26 to 28, a 

blizzard with hurricane-force wind gusts up to 130 km/h (81 mph) dropped up 

to 91 cm (36 in) of snow. The storm caused wave heights of 9 to 12 m (30 to 40 

ft) in the Gulf of Maine and significant coastal flooding in Massachusetts. By the 

end of January, some sites had seen more than double their normal snowfall, 

while the average snow cover for New Brunswick was 32% above normal.

Warm sea surface temperature anomalies 

that were present throughout the region in 

fall persisted in most areas through winter. 

Temperatures (averaged over December, 

January, and February) were up to 1°C (1.8°F) 

above normal over the entire region except in 

the shallowest areas near shore. Strong regionwide warm anomalies in December weakened 

only slightly in January. These warmer than 

normal sea surface temperatures may have 

helped intensify storms during winter. The 

three-month winter average hides the fact that 

in February, ocean cooling created negative 

anomalies over shallow coastal areas, the 

Jordan Basin, the northern Bay of Fundy, and 

the Scotian Shelf in response to the cold air 

temperatures.

Winter temperatures (averaged over December, 

January, and February) ranged from near normal 

in Nova Scotia to 3°C (5.4°F) below normal in 

New Hampshire and Massachusetts. December 

was quite warm, with most areas seeing 

temperatures 2°C (3.6°F) to 4°C (7.2°F) above 

normal. The three states ranked this December 

among their top 11 warmest. Colder conditions 

returned in January, with temperatures ranging 

from near normal in Nova Scotia to 3°C (5.4°F) 

below normal in the states. February was an 

extremely cold month across the region, with 

temperatures up to 8°C (14.4°F) below normal. 

The three states had their second coldest 

February on record. Despite cold conditions in 

the region, global temperatures are still warmer 

than normal. In fact, 2014 was the warmest 

year on record globally and this January was the 

second warmest January on record.

Sea surface temperature anomalies based on 1985–2014. 

Mean SST anomalies from NOAA AVHRR data. Credit: 

University of Maine School of Marine Sciences and NERACOOS

Temperature

Storms in February brought excessive 

snowfall, intense winds, and blizzard 

conditions to the region. Snow totals 

and snow on the ground were well 

above normal. 

With generally mild conditions in December, most storms 

featured a mix of precipitation types. On December 3 in New 

Brunswick, up to 8 hours of freezing rain occurred in Bathurst 

and slippery conditions caused dozens of accidents across the 

province. A slow-moving storm from December 9 to 12 brought 

102 to 152 mm (4 to 6 in) of rain, up to 57 cm (22 in) of snow, 

and a coating of ice. Roads were closed in several areas due 

to flooding. On December 25, many locations had record or 

near-record warmth as high temperatures rose to 17°C (63°F). 

Coastal New England, southern New Brunswick, and much of 

Nova Scotia saw less than 25% of normal December snowfall.

In late January, near-hurricane force 

winds from a Nor’easter created very 

large waves in the Gulf of Maine and 

caused significant coastal flooding in 

Massachusetts.

Winter precipitation (accumulated during 

December, January, and February) ranged 

from near normal to 200% of normal, with the 

greatest amounts in eastern New Brunswick. 

December was a wet month regionwide. 

Precipitation generally ranged from 125% 

to 275% of normal, with the wettest areas 

in eastern New Brunswick. Maine, New 

Hampshire, and Massachusetts ranked 

December 2014 among their top 20 wettest. 

Precipitation varied in January, with amounts 

ranging from 50% of normal in northern Maine 

and northern New Brunswick to 150% of 

normal in Nova Scotia. February precipitation 

ranged from 25% of normal in northern Maine 

to 200% of normal in eastern Nova Scotia. 

Departure from Normal

Temperature and precipitation normals based on 1981–2010. 

Canada and ocean precip data: Canadian Precipitation Analysis.

U.S. precipitation data: interpolated station data.

Departure from Normal Percent of Normal

February was one of 

the coldest months 

on record across the 

region. 
Regional Impacts - for December 2014–February 2015

Regional Outlook - for Spring 2015 Gulf of Maine Region Partners

Environment Canada

www.ec.gc.ca

Northeast Regional Climate Center

www.nrcc.cornell.edu

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

www.noaa.gov

National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center

www.nohrsc.noaa.gov

NOAA Sea Grant Network 

www.seagrant.noaa.gov

Northeast River Forecast Center

www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc

Climate Prediction Center

www.cpc.noaa.gov

Regional Climate Services

www.ncdc.noaa.gov/rcsd

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

www.gmri.org

State Climatologists

www.stateclimate.org

National Integrated Drought Information System 

www.drought.gov

Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region

www.cinar.org

Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, Climate 

Network

www.gulfofmaine.org/climatenetwork

Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean 

Systems

www.neracoos.org

University of Maine, School of Marine Sciences

www.umaine.edu/marine

Contacts

NOAA:

Ellen Mecray (Ellen.L.Mecray@noaa.gov)

Samantha Borisoff (samantha.borisoff@cornell.edu)

Environment Canada:

1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)

819-997-2800 (long-distance charges apply)

enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca 

To receive this publication every quarter, sign up at http://

www.gulfofmaine.org/2/climate-network-climate-outlook.

Gulf of Maine Region

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook 

March 2015 

www.drought.gov/drought/content/resources/reports

www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.

asp?lang=En&n=F2BDD611

#regionalclimateoutlooks

Temperature

For March through May, Environment Canada 

is predicting an increased chance of belownormal temperatures for New Brunswick and 

northern Nova Scotia, an increased chance of 

above-normal temperatures for a small portion 

of southern Nova Scotia, and equal chances of 

above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures 

elsewhere. Greater than normal snowpack, 

record ice cover on the Great Lakes, and 

extensive sea ice in Hudson Bay, the Gulf of St. 

Lawrence, and waters near Newfoundland and 

Labrador contributed to the forecast for belownormal temperatures. 

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is 

forecasting equal chances of above-, near-, 

or below-normal temperatures from March 

through May for Maine, New Hampshire, and 

Massachusetts. 

Season Snowfall and Cold

Snow totals varied widely in December, but in late January and February, a persistent trough over 

eastern North America allowed Arctic air and numerous storms to move through the Gulf of Maine 

region. With back-to-back storms and persistent cold, snow accumulated quickly (see bottom left 

chart). Snow removal was difficult, especially for cities such as Boston, MA, and Saint John, NB, 

which each hauled away at least 20,000 truckloads of snow from their streets. Some municipalities 

in the U.S. received exemptions to dump snow directly into bodies of water, a practice not normally 

permitted. The cost of snow removal made this winter the most expensive year ever for some areas. 

The snowstorms caused frequent school and business closures, thousands of flight delays and 

cancellations, and power outages, while the weight of the snow caused roofs to collapse. It was 

estimated that the snowstorms cost Massachusetts’ economy at least $1 billion. The snow also 

contributed to many accidents, including one of the largest chain-reaction crashes in Maine’s history 

on February 25. Frigid temperatures resulted in water main breaks and frozen pipes. 

Ice buildup in waterways made navigation difficult, slowed commerce, damaged pilings and docks, 

forced ferry services to be suspended, and cracked the hull of a Coast Guard cutter. The weather 

also had significant impacts on the lobster fishing season in Grand Manan, NB, as well as three 

aquaculture sites in Nova Scotia. Railroad freight deliveries were delayed due to snow-covered side 

tracks and the need to use shorter trains. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) 

rail service shut down for several days and experienced delays throughout February. The MBTA 

estimated that storm-related costs added up to $36.5 million. In Eastern Passage, NS, thousands 

of vehicles awaiting rail transport became encrusted in ice, making them impossible to move and 

causing delays for customers. 

The start of maple season was delayed by up to a month across the region as cold and snow kept 

sap from running. Spring planting was also delayed for some Nova Scotia growers due to damaged 

greenhouses.

Ski resorts benefited from the cold and snow, though. Sugarloaf, in Carrabassett Valley, ME, 

anticipated its best season ever with respect to traffic and revenue. As of mid-February, the resort 

had seen a 10% increase in total skier visits and a 14% increase in revenue since last year. 

Percent of normal snowfall for winter 

(accumulated from December to February) 

Precipitation

Environment Canada and NOAA’s Climate 

Prediction Center are both predicting equal 

chances of above-, near-, or below-normal 

precipitation for the Gulf of Maine region. 

Environment Canada map 

produced on February 28.

Spring Flood Potential

The potential for river flooding during spring 

is near to above normal for Maine, New 

Hampshire, and Massachusetts, according 

to NOAA. Across eastern New England, the 

potential for spring river flooding is above 

normal. Snow water equivalents are above 

normal for this time of the year in that area. 

If the region gets a period of warm weather 

combined with heavy rainfall events, then the 

possibility of moderate flooding may occur. 

In northern New England, extensive river ice 

increases the risk for ice jam flooding. Minor 

river flooding is possible across the rest of New 

England.

Heavy rainfall can cause river flooding at any 

time, even in areas where the flood potential 

is considered low. Local river forecasts can be 

found the Northeast River Forecast Center.

Daily snowfall accumulation from December 1, 

2014, through February 28, 2015 

Minor Flooding

Issued: March 19, 2015