Maine communities break and tie daily temperature records, with more heat on tap Friday

Some Maine communities on Thursday broke or tied temperature records for July 2 as extreme heat warnings and advisories remained in effect for much of the state. Heat index values soared above 100 degrees across a large swath of Maine on Thursday and are expected to do so again on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. But relief should come Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures expected to begin cooling toward more comfortable levels. Related [‘It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.’ Keith Carson explains why.](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/01/its-not-the-heat-its-the-humidity-keith-carson-explains-why/) Fryeburg recorded a high temperature of 97 degrees on Thursday, according to the weather service. Though the agency’s data there only dates back to 1996, it broke a record of 94 degrees set on July 2, 2014. Meanwhile, highs of 93 degrees in Augusta and Bangor and 91 degrees in Caribou all tied records for July 2, according to the weather service. The Augusta record was most recently set in 1963, while Bangor’s was in 1941, and Caribou’s in 2014. The Portland area recorded a high of 96 degrees, just short of the date’s record of 98 degrees in 1941. The Portsmouth-Kittery area also recorded a high of 96 degrees Thursday, just one degree shy of the record set in 1966. Advertisement And there’s another hot day on the horizon Friday, with the heat warnings and advisories continuing for much of Maine through the evening. Heat index values should hover between 100 and 105 degrees for much of the southern half of Maine, though indexes are expected to be slightly lower in western counties, according to the weather service office in Gray. The heat index is also projected to be in the mid- to high 90s in much of Aroostook and Somerset counties, and coastal Washington County. Related [Lewiston-Auburn cooling centers offer refuge from the heat: ‘What they do here is essential’](https://www.sunjournal.com/2026/07/02/lewiston-auburn-cooling-centers-offer-refuge-from-the-heat-what-they-do-here-is-essential/) The weather service advises people to drink plenty of fluids, avoid extended periods in the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Those spending time outdoors are also advised to avoid heavy exertion and take breaks to cool off indoors. Many Maine municipalities have [cooling centers](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/30/cooling-centers-to-open-in-maine-as-heat-air-quality-advisories-take-effect-wednesday/) open through Friday for those who need to escape the heat. A list of cooling centers is [available on the Maine Emergency Management Association’s website](https://www.maine.gov/mema/response-recovery/mass-care). With the heat index potentially over 100 degrees in many areas, actual temperatures on Friday are expected to reach 96 degrees in Portland, Fryeburg and Lewiston, and 95 degrees in Augusta, Boothbay Harbor and Waterville, according to the weather service office. High temperatures are expected to be around 86 degrees in the Rangeley and Jackman areas. The heat and humidity could fuel precipitation ranging from showers to thunderstorms Friday, the weather service warns, providing some temporary periods of relief from the heat. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection also warned on Thursday that [wildfire smoke](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/02/wildfire-smoke-to-reduce-air-quality-in-maine-through-fourth-of-july-weekend/) from Canada and the western U.S. could increase particle pollution levels to levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, and even healthy adults at times — through the end of the holiday weekend. The agency warned the ongoing extreme heat and humidity could compound the effects of the wildfire smoke. Related [Wildfire smoke to reduce air quality in Maine through Fourth of July weekend](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/02/wildfire-smoke-to-reduce-air-quality-in-maine-through-fourth-of-july-weekend/) The Maine DEP recommends people take extra precautions to avoid sun exposure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Muscle cramps, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, confusion, weakness and nausea are all symptoms to watch for, the agency said. Things should get noticeably cooler as the weekend progresses. Portland can expect a high of 90 on Saturday and a high of 83 on Sunday, according to the weather service’s Thursday forecast. The Augusta area should see a high of 90 degrees Saturday and 85 degrees Sunday; the Lewiston area 91 and 84; and the Fryeburg area 89 and 85. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [extreme weather](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/extreme-weather/), [heat wave](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/heat-wave/), [National Weather Service](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/national-weather-service/), [weather](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/weather/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) [Drew JohnsonStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. [More by Drew Johnson](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson)