Heard a Local Climate Talk with Meteorologist Ryan Breton, News Center Maine

Local Meteorologist Ryan Breton from "News Center Maine," the NBC Television's Channel 6 out of Portland, recently gave a talk about how climate change has been affecting coastal Maine over the last 20 years. We attended the event and it was refreshing to see a full house, and people asking good questions about climate change and the National Weather Service. In today's blog you'll learn 3 major climate changes that have been happening over the last 20 years in Maine. 

ABOUT THE EVENT - On January 12th, Ryan spoke at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells, Maine. Ryan talked a lot about Maine weather and climate, and specifically coastal flooding, which is always top of mind this time of year (Winter) on the coast. 

(Photo: Tom, Ryan Breton, Rob -  with a projected white square of light on his head from the projector to the screen behind him)

(Photo: Tom and Rob at the presentation - See? No white square on his head!) 

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED - Ryan talked about big picture changes that have become obvious in coastal Maine, including: 

1) Heavy rainfall events have been increasing in all seasons. For example there was a July 2018, and December 2023 heavy rain event that led to extreme flooding in Lewiston, Maine, and central and southern Maine.

(Photo: July 26, 2018, Two feet of water was reported at Ash and Bates Street in Lewiston, Maine. The bus station was flooded. Up to three feet of water was reported at the corner of Route 126 and Stanley Street. This was from summer thunderstorms which now pack more intense precipitation in a warmer world. Credit: News Center Maine) 

2) Summers have become warmer and more humid. Ryan explained that when the air is humid, it doesn't cool down at night as it would under drier air, so summertime nights have grown much more uncomfortable over the last 20 years. He also said that as a native who grew up in nearby New Hampshire and lived every summer in Saco, Maine (southeastern coastal Maine), he didn't remember ever having or needing air conditioning back in the 1990s, but now it's an absolute necessity.  Also, summer thunderstorms now pack more intense precipitation since the world has warmed and warmer air holds more moisture.

(Photo: Ryan talks about the climate change impacts on Maine)  

3) Sea level rise bringing more frequent flooding events. He addressed how sea level rise in the last 100 years in coastal Maine has risen over 7 inches, and the majority of the rise has happened in the last 50 years. 

SEA LEVEL RISE DAMAGE - In December 2024 and early 2025, Maine, including areas like Wells, experienced continued impacts from sea level rise and intensifying storms, with significant flooding, damage to waterfront infrastructure (piers, wharves), and increased coastal erosion, highlighting the urgency for adaptation, as higher than normal sea levels and oceanographic factors like the Gulf Stream/AMOC contribute to these accelerating changes, threatening salt marshes and necessitating infrastructure upgrades

(Photo: Damage in Wells, Maine during a storm on January 13, 2023. Credit: Town of Wells, Maine) 

ABOUT RYAN -  Ryan Breton has a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Penn State and holds the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal. He's also worked at stations in Concord, NH and Hartford, CT. He has been nominated for multiple Boston/New England EMMY awards, including Outstanding Meteorologist. While in Hartford, he received a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation, for weather storytelling. For his linked in page visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbretonweather/