High Wind — Coastal Hancock, Maine

2023-05-01 · Coastal Hancock, Maine

Event narrative

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph...with gusts to around 60 mph...occurred during the early morning hours of the 1st. A wind gust of 61 mph was measured at Sedgwick Ridge. Wind gusts of 58 mph were measured at both Castine and near Brooksville. The winds brought down branches and toppled or snapped trees which contributed to power outages. Some roads were also blocked by fallen trees. Blocked roads were reported near Somesville and Blue Hill. A vehicle struck a tree across the road near Ellsworth. Other trees were reported down near Sorrento and on Deer Isle.

Wider weather episode

Strong low pressure tracked from the Mid-Atlantic region toward the Great Lakes during the 1st drawing an occluded front toward Maine. Abundant moisture was drawn across the region in advance of the occlusion. Heavy rains developed across Downeast and west-central areas...which persisted into the afternoon of the 1st. Rainfall totals across Downeast and west-central areas generally ranged from 1.50 to 3.00 inches...with local totals to around 3.50 inches. The heavy rains led to flooding. Across Downeast areas...most of the flooding was of the urban and poor drainage variety. Rainfall totals were enhanced in the favored upslope areas of southern Piscataquis county. Flooding across southern Piscataquis county led to the closure of several roads. Flooding began during the early morning hours of the 1st and persisted into the morning hours of the 2nd. Flooding was reported on smaller rivers and streams. In addition...flooding also occurred on the mainstem Piscataquis River at Dover-Foxcroft. The river at Dover-Foxcroft crested around a half foot above flood stage during the evening of the 1st...falling back below flood stage during the early morning hours of the 2nd.

A strong low level jet also crossed the region in advance of the occlusion through the early morning hours of the 1st. Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph were common across the Downeast region along with some higher terrain areas. Peak wind gusts were around 60 mph. A 61 mph wind gust was reported at Sedgwick Ridge in coastal Hancock county...with a 62 mph gust measured at Greenville in central Piscataquis county. Wind gusts across the remainder of northern and eastern Maine were generally in the 30 to 40 mph range. The gusty winds and wet soil led to scattered reports of toppled trees and downed power lines along with broken branches. Scattered power outages also occurred.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1104302. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.