How is humidity in Maine? (Portland, Eastport: live, pollution, beach)

[Eastport4me]

Originally Posted by corgis

We're gonna have a big ya-ya's get together on the back deck of the WACO next summer, don't know when yet but mark your calendar.

We will be there...as soon as school is out...2nd week of June. Even if my husband decides not to retire this year, we will be there for the summers until he does.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by futurecruiser

Hi!

From southern California, the snow and winter is going to be more of a shock/adjustment for you than the humid summers would be.

The good news regarding humidity is that it doesn't last long - it's not a year round thing; and the nights are cool.

Nope. I am a Native Californian and this is a completely false statement. The cold is easy to adapt to-there are multiple ways to bundle up, warm up, heat up but there is only one way to escape humidity-air conditioning. I have friends from Cali who refuse to visit in the summer simple because of the humidity. One thing about humidity in Maine, though, it is nowhere near as bad as the Midwest or the South.

[Eastport4me]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

I just need to know what qualifies as "summer" in Maine! Here, it's everything from April to October!!

YaYa!

We work for the school system and the last day for teachers is June 5th 2008 and teachers start back a week before students. The school calendar for 2008-2009 has not been approved yet but I would anticipate teachers return the 3rd week of August.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

Nope. I am a Native Californian and this is a completely false statement. The cold is easy to adapt to-there are multiple ways to bundle up, warm up, heat up but there is only one way to escape humidity-air conditioning. I have friends from Cali who refuse to visit in the summer simple because of the humidity. One thing about humidity in Maine, though, it is nowhere near as bad as the Midwest or the South.

Well said

[Kaligirl]

Hi, I too live in Southern CA and know that Hemet, where the original poster said she lived, gets well over 100 degrees several times during the summer months.

So my question ...What does 80 degrees with 95% humidity "feel like" ...can you comepare it too regular degrees? For example would that feel like 100 degrees?

Because at over 100 degrees in Hemet or most of inland CA or even "dry" AZ etc., those people stay inside airconditioned places too and don't go for outside activities until early evening.

And when does it start to "cool down" in the day there? When do you go outside for sports or let the kids play at the park etc? When do these humid summer months begin and end?

Sorry, so many questions. We are actually considering NC, VA and Maine, but I am trying to get a better understanding on humidity and how it works, what to expect, since we've only experienced a mild form of it and only a few weeks at a time here where I live now. I was also surprised at some of the differences you all posted from state to state, just how different is it?

Thanks so much for your time.
Regards, Kali

[ADSLubec]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Alison's right....the humidity here can be icky. I can't tell you how bad it is in comparison to other places, because I've only ever lived in Maine. When it gets too sticky here in Calais we head to the lake or the beach, or to Eastport. I'm not one for temps above 80, and I don't like humidity at all, but it doesn't feel oppressive to me as much as uncomfortable.

Hardly ever humid or even hot in Lubec. If it does get hot or humid you just head down to West Quoddy Head and the temperature and humidity just drop like a rock. I've had a near 20 degree drop from our home to West Quoddy and that's only a three mile distance by car and less as the crow flies.

Calais now that gets hot!

As for malls, forget about it! The Walmart in Calais will have to do.

Alan

[mollysmiles]

Kali, for me the humidity is different I think. I can't compare it to a degree--it just feels heavy to me more so than hot. Does that make any sense? I've never kept the kids in or stayed in because it's too hot to be outside. We all are blond, blue-eyed, fair skinned though, so I have pulled them in around noon on bright summer days for an hour or so because we burn easily--although 3 of them tan, and 1 just freckles like me! In reading back over your post I don't think we hit 95% humidity here very often. I'll look it up and see though. When it is humid, it only lasts a few days at the most, and we may get it 3 or 4 times over the whole summer....summer to me is school vacation time because I used to teach, so that would be mid-June to late August

[maine4.us]

Humidity. Since I have lived in Florida for years, I can tell you first hand. 80 degrees and 85% humidity is MISERABLE. You are standing, you are sweating, and you are wondering why you are outside. Yes Maine can get warm, and of course humid, but it is nothing compared to the south. In NC and VA you will be miserable during the summer months unless you are in the mountains of the west of those states. Summer is from late May until late September and sometimes even later. Yes, it can get 80+ in Maine, but not for long, and the evenings are great. As a native of the south, avoid it the south if you don't want humidity. Hence my move to Maine.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Kaligirl

Hi, I too live in Southern CA and know that Hemet, where the original poster said she lived, gets well over 100 degrees several times during the summer months.

So my question ...What does 80 degrees with 95% humidity "feel like" ...can you comepare it too regular degrees? For example would that feel like 100 degrees?

Because at over 100 degrees in Hemet or most of inland CA or even "dry" AZ etc., those people stay inside airconditioned places too and don't go for outside activities until early evening.

In Sacramento, it would often get over 110 F in the summer. All you simply had to do was find some shade, and literally, it would be 20 degrees cooler. On top of that, regardless of the high daytime temp, it would cool down to 60 to 70 F (sometimes cooler) overnight.

Humidity-it's humid during the day, it's humid over night. Now, one thing that you need to understand is that the level of humidity is only part of the equation. 100% humidity = rain. Humidity has to do with the amount of moisture in the air. Really high humid levels can be found all over the country, and is evident in the form of fog, dew, rain, etc. What you really need to be concerned about is the dew point.

85 F + 90% humidity + a dew point of 30 F would not be that bad at all as compared to 70 F + 65% humidity + a dew point of 60 F.

So, basically the higher the dew point, the more you will feel it.

And, by the way, it feels like you are constantly in a sauna, whether you are indoors, in the shade, trying to sleep, in a car, doesn't matter. Like I said, the only way to escape it is be air condition.

Then again, there are people who actually like really humid weather.

[Parrotpaul]

I lived in Maine for five decades and I now live about 80 miles west of you in Laguna Hills.

It does get humid at various times during the summer, but it is survivable. Your biggest shock will be from about the second week of November until the middle of May. You will dream every night about Palm Springs.

BTW...the wife and I are presently packing our bags for a four day trip to TwentyNine Palms. We love to hike around Joshua Tree this time of year. If you are in the area, we'll be eating at Enchada's tomorrow night...at the bar.