MAINE MONITOR • February 19, 2023
Maine is again experiencing pronounced “winter whiplash,” as some scientists call it — ricocheting from cold, snow and ice to record-breaking warmth, rain and melting, and back again. This has been the second-warmest period from Nov. 1 to Feb. 13 on record in Portland. Nine out of the top 10 years on this list have occurred since 2000. “The loss of cold and snow in northeastern North America will continue or accelerate, particularly in the southerly and coastal areas of the region, which could see near-total loss of snow and freezing temperatures,” a 2022 UNH paper concluded. “These changes portend possible reorganization of social and ecological systems that have historically relied on cold, snowy winters for habitat, water resources, forest health, local economies, cultural practices, and human wellbeing.” And the less humans are able to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the scientists added, the more cold days and snow cover the region will stand to lose.