Coldest Warmest Areas

Here are the coldest to the warmest areas of the state, based on 49 reporting stations.

Data, collected by month for thirty years, are calculated by recording the difference between the mean temperature for a month, and 65 degrees as the base temperature. (See detailed definition below.) HDD = heating degree days; CDD = cooling degree days; NET = the difference between HDD minus CDD; AP = Airport. See the monthly data.

Additional resources

Data from http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/gyx/climo/ME_STATS_NEW.htm; calculation notes from http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/gyx/climate_f6.shtml (accessed 12/15/2010)

Degree day is an index reflecting demand for energy to heat or cool houses and businesses. The “heating year” during which heating degree days are accumulated extends from July 1st to June 30th; the “cooling year” extends from January 1st to December 31st. A mean daily temperature (average of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures) of 65°F is the base for both heating and cooling degree day computations. Heating degree days are the differences between the mean daily temperature and the 65°F base; cooling degree days are the differences from the same base. For example, cooling degree days for a station with daily mean temperatures during a seven-day period of 67,65,70,74,78,65 and 68, are 2,0,5,9,13,0,and 3, for a total for the week of 32 cooling degree days.

The data, available in December 2010, are derived from 1971 through 2000. The thirty-year period is updated every ten years. See full definition at http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/cdus/degree_days/ddayexp.shtml (accessed December 18, 2010)

See also Casco Bay and Climate Change.