CARIBOU, Maine (AP) — Parts of Maine are in for a warm, wet and windy Christmas, with the National Weather Service issuing a high wind watch for Friday.
Warm, moist air is moving up from the Caribbean and bringing with it high winds, heavy rain and high temperatures, according to the service’s Caribou office.
The wind watch includes areas from Portland to Eastport and inland to the Bangor area, the Bangor Daily News reported.
A flood watch is in effect for much of the rest of the state.
Friday’s temperature could set records for the mildest Christmas.
According to data dating to 1925, Bangor’s hottest Christmases on record were 2014 and 2015 at 54 degrees (12 degrees Celsius). Bangor’s forecast high for Friday is 55 degrees (13 Celsius).
The record high in Millinocket, Houlton and Caribou for Christmas are 53 (11 Celsius), 53 (11 Celsius) and 48 (8 Celsius), respectively. Friday’s forecast high is 54 (12 Celsius) in Millinocket and Houlton and 53 (11 Celsius) in Caribou.
In addition, winds are forecast to blow at 30 to 40 mph (48 to 64 kph), with gusts as high as 60 mph (96 kph) and 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) of rain in some areas.
