Recurring weekend rain tied to stubborn low-pressure systems
Since late March, Maine has experienced rainfall during at least one day every weekend, prompting many to ask: why is this happening so consistently?
This pattern, though it might feel like a coincidence, is actually linked to larger atmospheric behaviors, particularly waves in the jet stream. According to Sean Birkel, the state climatologist, the jet stream has been guiding a cloud-generating low-pressure system across the Northeast every few days. While not perfectly synchronized to a seven-day cycle, this frequent passage of storm systems has closely aligned with the weekend calendar, bringing unsettled skies just in time for Saturday or Sunday.
April showers were heavier than usual
Across April and into mid-May, Maine received an inch more precipitation than normal, based on national weather data. This above-average rainfall wasn’t restricted to weekends alone, but the coincidence of storm systems arriving on weekends has made it feel particularly relentless.
Farmers and residents have noticed the effects, especially with the start of the growing season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts above-normal precipitation in June for much of the region. For July and August, forecasts are more uncertain, with equal chances for wetter or drier conditions.
A mixed blessing for Maine’s growers
After several years marked by drought and dry wells, this wet spring brings both relief and new challenges for Maine’s agricultural community. On one hand, cloudy and moist conditions can be beneficial for transplanted crops, helping them establish roots. On the other, excessive rainfall can damage soil structure, leach nutrients, and foster fungal diseases, putting stress on young plants.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association noted in a recent report that while cool, cloudy days aid transplants, rapid shifts in weather — such as a sudden turn to dry, windy conditions — can be hard for crops to endure.
Dry spots rare, wildfire risk low
As of May 13, only a small area in southern Maine was experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to the national drought monitor. Meanwhile, wildfire risk remained low statewide, thanks to the persistent moisture, as confirmed by the Maine Forest Service.
So while weekend rain may continue to frustrate outdoor plans, it is part of a larger meteorological rhythm — one that is deeply influenced by the jet stream, and one that could play a significant role in Maine’s growing season this year.
