Note: This story was published Thursday, January 11, 2024
This storm season is already in record-breaking territory and it’s about to get worse. To use a Star Trek analogy (Nerd alert!), the Grinch Storm from December 18, 2023, combined with Wednesday’s storm have wiped out the natural defenses or “force fields” along the coast. The battered coast of Maine is a sitting duck for the upcoming Saturday storm like the USS Enterprise with its “shields” down.
The setup is something we know all too well; the area of low pressure takes an inland runner track with a negatively tilted trough. In regular speak, that will put the coast on the warm side of the storm. of the storm with a southeast wind developing.
Coastal flood warnings are up for the entire Maine coastline. Road damage, inundation and splash over is expected in the places where the previous two storms washed away natural defenses and flood protection systems. Dune structures have been hit hard and may no longer provide protection needed to withstand an event like this, even with 5’ less wave heights predicted than the last storm.
On Wednesday Portland, Maine set the record for 3rd place for a water level at 13.84 feet. That’s barely behind the infamous Blizzard of ‘78 and the January 9, 1978, storm in first and second places respectively.
The January 9, 1978, storm was overshadowed and largely forgotten because less than a month later the Blizzard of ‘78 barreled into Maine. But the January 9 storm was just as devastating at the coast with 13.98’ recorded. It’s the second highest recorded water level in Maine history.
No one will forget the snow and wind-driven cold that came with the Blizzard in 1978, but what you might overlook is the record setting high tide of 14.17’ recorded at the Maine State Pier gauge in Portland, Maine.
Saturday’s forecast is 14.1’ and calls for the water level in Portland to surpass what happened a few days ago and eclipse the January 9, 1978, storm. It could even break the record for an all-time high-water level that is less than 6 inches away from the forecast.
All signs point to an unprecedented event at high tide Saturday around noon. Stay with NEWSCENTER Maine for the latest details leading up to this weekend and storm coverage on Saturday. Follow my social media for the latest storm coverage. www.facebook.com/jasonnappiwx www.instagram.com/jasonnappiwx
Wonderful story, your doing amazing work and always go above and beyond to bring great stories and weather information to all of us!