Maine’s rising humidity signals shifting climate: ‘We’re living in a wetter world’

If you’re thinking Maine summers, known for their warm days and cool nights, aren’t like they used to be, you’re right. They’re not just getting hotter — they’re also getting stickier. The dew point, a measure of how much moisture is in the air, has been gradually rising across the state. As it climbs, our hot days feel even hotter and those conditions intensify risks of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The past few years have seen some of the highest average summer dew points on record in Maine, according to Weather Underground data. Measured in degrees Fahrenheit, dew point represents the temperature at which the air becomes fully saturated with moisture. High temperatures paired with dew points above 65 degrees can feel particularly oppressive.