Quarterly Climate Impacts 

and Outlook

Gulf of Maine Region

December 2018

Gulf of Maine Significant Events – September–November 2018 

Regional Climate Overview – September–November 2018

Temperature

Autumn Departure from Normal

Autumn temperatures (averaged over September, October, and November) ranged from 2°C (4°F) below normal to near normal for 

most of the region (image above). September temperatures ranged from near normal in parts of the Maritimes to 3°C (5°F) above 

normal in parts of New England. October temperatures ranged from 3°C (5°F) below normal in northern Maine and northern New 

Brunswick to near normal in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia. November temperatures ranged from 4°C (7°F) below 

normal in parts of New Hampshire, Maine, and central New Brunswick to near normal in southeastern Massachusetts and parts of 

Nova Scotia.

Gulf of Maine Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook|Dec 2018

https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports

http://ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=6AABE5O

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

	 Samantha Borisoff (sgh58@cornell.edu)

September:

Temperature swings occurred frequently during September. From September 3 to 

6, the region experienced highs up to 36°C (97°F). Cold air moved in from September 

9 to 10, with lows dropping to -3°C (27°F) in the Maritimes. From September 12 to 18, 

highs were near 30°C (86°F) in the three provinces and northern Maine, but cold air 

returned to these areas from September 24 to 25 with lows down to -3.3°C (26°F) and 

widespread frost. Daily max and min temperature records were set each time. Strong cold 

fronts crossed the Maritimes from September 21 to 22 and September 26 to 27, causing 

thousands of power outages. 

October:

A rapidly intensifying storm brought up to 82 mm (3 in.) of rain and strong winds to the 

Maritimes from October 15 to 16. The strongest gusts of over 120 km/h (75 mph) were in 

Cape Breton, N.S. The winds downed trees, left more than 60,000 customers without power, and disrupted travel. On October 23, a 

rare EF-1 tornado touched down in Norton, MA, uprooting and snapping numerous trees. Since 1950, there have only been seven 

other October tornadoes in Massachusetts, with the last one occurring in 1970. There were also several reports of waterspouts in Cape 

Cod Bay. The same storm system brought the first significant snow to parts of New Hampshire, Maine, and New Brunswick, with up 

to 30 cm (12 in.) of snow from October 23 to 25. Up to 110 mm (4 in.) of rain fell in other parts of the Maritimes. A powerful storm

brought up to 125 mm (5 in.) of rain, 15 cm (6 in.) of snow, and some ice accumulation to the region from October 27 to 29. Wind 

gusts of up to 101 km/h (63 mph) occurred, with a peak gust of 156 km/h (97 mph) in Grand Etang, N.S. The high winds led to power 

outages, cancelled ferry services, downed trees, and minor coastal flooding. Prior to the storm on the 27th, several Maritimes sites set 

daily min temperature records with lows down to -12°C (10°F). 

November:

A series of storms moved through the region in November. From November 2 to 4, a powerful storm system produced wind 

gusts up to 119 km/h (74 mph) and dropped up to 100 mm (4 in.) of rain on the region. Another intense storm from November 15 to 

16 brought up to 30 cm (12 in.) of snow, with thundersnow reported in eastern Massachusetts. From November 27 to 29, a potent 

storm with winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph) dropped up to 30 cm (12 in.) of snow on the Maritimes. As these storms exited the region, 

cold air moved in behind them, setting numerous minimum temperature records. For instance, following the November 15–16 storm, 

temperatures were as low as -23°C (-9°F). This November ranked among the five coldest Novembers on record for several sites. 

In addition, the persistent storminess caused this November to rank among the five wettest Novembers and/or five snowiest 

Novembers on record for several sites. See Regional Impacts for details on the November storms.

Temperature normals based on 1981-2010 data

Temperatures were above normal during the first half of autumn 

(shaded red) and below normal during the second half of autumn 

(shaded blue). Credit: NOAA CPC

°F

50

59

68

32

41

23

14

 5

77

86
Regional Impacts – September–November 2018

Regional Climate Overview – September–November 2018

Sea Surface Temperatures

Departure from Normal

Autumn sea surface temperature anomalies were strongly above 

(1–3°C [2–5°F]) the 30-year average over the region. In the Gulf 

of Maine, positive anomalies were strongest over the deeper 

central basins (around 2.5°C [4.5°F]) and slightly weaker in 

coastal waters (around 1.5°C [2.7°F]). Off the shelf south of Nova 

Scotia, a warm patch of temperature anomalies were around 

3.5°C (6.3°F) above normal.

SST normals based on 1985–2014 data

Gulf of Maine Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook|Dec 2018

https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports

http://ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=6AABE5O

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

	 Samantha Borisoff (sgh58@cornell.edu)

The first half of autumn was warm and dry (except Massachusetts, which was generally 

wet). At the start of September, northwestern New Brunswick, southwestern Nova Scotia, 

and coastal Maine were in a moderate drought, with abnormal dryness elsewhere in 

the region. During the month, there were water shortages in parts of Nova Scotia as 

shallow wells ran dry. The province trucked in drinking water for several communities. Fire 

departments delivered water to homes and were set up as water stations. When fighting 

fires, the departments contended with dried up water holes and wells. In Aroostook County, 

ME, dry conditions contributed to a hay shortage and allowed bedstraw, an invasive plant 

species, to flourish, reducing the number of acres of hay for some farmers. At the end of 

September, parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia remained in a drought, and abnormal 

dryness expanded in the rest of the Maritimes and northern Maine.

November 30, 2018 North American Drought 

Monitor. 

Dry Early Autumn

Autumn Percent of Normal

Autumn precipitation (accumulated from September–December) 

generally ranged from 75% of normal in northern New Brunswick 

to 200% of normal in southeastern Massachusetts (image above). 

September precipitation ranged from 25% of normal in New 

Brunswick and Nova Scotia to more than 200% of normal in New 

Hampshire and Massachusetts. October precipitation ranged 

from 50% of normal in northern New Brunswick to 200% of normal 

in eastern Nova Scotia. November precipitation ranged from near 

normal in northern New Brunswick to more than 200% of normal 

in parts of New England.

Precipitation

U.S. precipitation normals based on 1981–2010 data; Canadian 

precipitation normals based on 2002–2017.

Around mid-October, the weather pattern shifted, leading to cool conditions and frequent 

storms during the rest of autumn. Precipitation in October and November helped dry 

conditions improve in the region, except in northern New Brunswick and northern Maine. 

However, it made potato harvest difficult in P.E.I. Another consequence of heavy rain 

events is the discharge of sewage into waterways in parts of Massachusetts. Strong winds 

during the powerful November 2 to 4 storm left over 100,000 customers, mostly in New 

Brunswick, without power for up to six days. Many businesses and homeowners reported 

roof damage, which kept roofing companies busy. During the November 27 to 29 storm

strong winds and heavy snow left 375,000 customers without power in the three provinces, 

and some coastal flooding and erosion occurred along the coastlines. Due to stormy 

conditions, the start of the lobster season was delayed in Nova Scotia.

Stormy Late Autumn

The November storms left much of the region with a surplus of snowfall. This November 

ranked among the five snowiest Novembers on record for Portland and Caribou, ME, 

and for several locations in the Maritimes, where snowfall was as much as two to more 

than three times normal. The snow gave the ski industry a boost, with downhill and cross 

country trails opening early. However, communities had to dip in to their winter snow 

removal budgets early, and schools have already used a few snow days. 

November Snowfall

Snapped power poles in P.E.I. from the Nov. 

27 to 29 storm. Image courtesy of CBC.

Modeled snow depth as 

of December 1. Credit: 

NOAA NOHRSC.
Regional Impacts – September–November 2018

Regional Outlook – Winter 2018–19

Temperature and Precipitation 

Contacts

Gulf of Maine Partners

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

#regionalclimateoutlooks

Gulf of Maine Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook|Dec 2018

https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports

http://ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=6AABE5O

For December–February, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC)

favors above-normal temperatures for western Maine and the northern 

half of New Hampshire. Environment and Climate Change Canada 

(ECCC) predicts an increased chance of below-normal temperatures 

for the northern half of New Brunswick and western P.E.I. and an 

increased chance of above-normal temperatures for western Nova 

Scotia. Equal chances of below-, near-, or above-normal temperatures 

were forecast for the rest of the Gulf of Maine region. The precipitation 

outlooks call for an increased chance of below-normal precipitation 

for P.E.I., southeastern New Brunswick, and parts of Nova Scotia and 

equal chances for the rest of the region.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral 

conditions continued in November. NOAA's 

Climate Prediction Center indicates there is a 90% 

chance that El Niño will form and continue during 

winter and a 60% chance it will continue through 

spring. This El Niño is expected to be weak. 

See NOAA's Eastern Region Climate Services 

November webinar for more information. 

ENSO

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

State Climatologists

National Integrated Drought Information System

Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region

Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, 

Climate & Network

Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and 

Ocean Systems

University of Maine, School of Marine Sciences

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

Environment and Climate Change Canada:

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

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

Northeast Regional Climate Center

To receive this publication every quarter:

www.gulfofmaine.org

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season 

compared to an average season.

Hurricane Season

For the third consecutive year, the Atlantic hurricane season featured above normal activity. 

In 2018, there were 15 named storms, eight of which were hurricanes, with two of those being 

major hurricanes. An average season has 12 named storms, six of which are hurricanes, with 

three of those being major hurricanes. It was the fourth year in a row that hurricane activity began 

before the official start of the season (June 1), and the first year since 2008 to have four named 

active storms at the same time. According to NOAA, “Warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures, a 

stronger west-African monsoon and the fact that El Niño did not form in time to suppress the 

season helped to enhance storm development." During autumn, the remnants of several tropical 

systems affected the region. Gordon's remnants dropped up to 133 cm (5.25 in.) of rain from 

September 11 to 12. From September 18 to 19, Florence's remnants brought up to 152 mm (6 

in.) of rain and caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in Massachuetts. Hurricane 

Leslie remained well offshore, but created rough surf and rip tides along Nova Scotia's Atlantic 

coast from October 5 to 6. From October 10 to 12, a frontal system combined with Michael's 

remnants brought up to 102 cm (4 in.) of rain, strong winds, and high waves.

A

EC

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Researchers indicate that warming waters are expanding sea turtles' range into the Gulf of 

Maine; however, sudden cold spells can leave them vulnerable to dangerously low temperatures. 

On November 23, more than 170 sea turtles froze to death off the coast of Cape Cod, MA. A 

combination of sudden cold temperatures, strong winds, and high tide left the turtles unable to 

escape to warmer waters. 

Sea Turtles and Ocean Temperatures

CPC temperature map (left) produced Nov 15.

ECCC temperature map (above) produced Nov 30.

November 17 to 24 SSTs were below 

normal over shallow coastal regions 

off Massachusetts, central Maine, and 

Nova Scotia due to strong cooling from 

the cold air temperatures. 

ECCC precipitation 

map (left) produced 

Nov 30.