Discover the Absolute Hottest Place in Maine

Maine is a picturesque New England state that offers gorgeous beaches, historic lighthouses, charming small towns, and beautiful weather. Bordering Canada, Maine has a humid continental climate with warm summers and frigid, snowy winters. Though the state is known for its nor’easters and ice storms during the colder months, summers in Maine are unlike any other. In fact, much of the state warms up during July, the state’s hottest month. Read on to learn about the absolute hottest city in Maine — including its history, ecology, and wildlife.

The Hottest Place in Maine

Orono is the hottest city in Maine, with the average summer maximum temperature being 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Orona’s temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for an average of nine days per year. As a point of reference, the state’s average high temperature during peak July is 70 degrees Fahrenheit — ten degrees lower than Orono’s average.

Orona, Maine, is located in Penobscot County along the Penobscot and Stillwater Rivers. Its winters are cold and snowy, but its summers are mild, warm, and humid. 

The Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Maine 

Maine’s hottest temperature recorded was 105 degrees on July 10, 1911. This occurred in North Bridgton, Maine — a town in Cumberland County.

Statewide, average Maine temperatures range between 7 degrees Fahrenheit to 79 Fahrenheit throughout the year. Temperatures rarely drop below  -14 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Maine can get painfully cold because it’s one of the most northern states in the U.S. (aside from Alaska, of course). When they think of “warmth” or “hot summers,” most people don’t think of Maine. However, the state still offers residents and visitors beautiful summer months. With its mild temperatures, gorgeous beaches, and delicious seafood, it’s one of the most popular summer getaways in the U.S. 

The History of Orono

Orono was settled in about 1774 by American colonists. It was later incorporated on March 12, 1806. In 1840, the town ceded a portion of its land that’s now known as Old Town. The city of Orono is named after Chief of the Penobscots Joseph Orono, who befriended settlers during the American Revolution. Later in the nineteenth century, Orono became known as the center of the lumber industry. 

Today, the town is home to the University of Maine, a public land-grant research university. As of 2020, Orono’s population was 11,183 — not including university residents. Orono also has several breweries, museums, farmer’s markets, refuges, restaurants, parks, and more. The town offers residents a rich suburban feel.

Where is Orono, the Hottest Place in Maine, Located on a Map?

Orono is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. The town includes part of Marsh Island and several smaller islands. The larger city of Bangor is 15 minutes southwest of Orono – with Hadley Point, the nearest beach on the Atlantic, only 41 miles east of the city.

Ecology and Wildlife in Orono

Orono, Maine, is known for its many outdoor activities, like birdwatching and hiking. The state is filled with forests, streams, lakes, marine and estuarine systems, and agricultural systems. Its state flower is the white pine cone and tassel (Pinus strobus, linnaeus). 

Orono is home to Orono Land Trust, which protects, manages, and preserves the town’s natural environment; the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, a 2,400-acre nature preserve with vast wetlands; and Orono Boardwalk, a bog walk featuring various plants and animals of Maine. 

Specifically, the bog walk provides the perfect opportunity for birdwatching, with over 100 types of birds found along the trail, including (but not limited to): the common loon, double-crested cormorant American bittern, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, American black duck, northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, and bald eagle. 

Other wildlife in Orono includes black bears, chickadees, puffins, whitetail deer, beavers, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, muskrats, raccoons, striped skunks, and more. Additionally, Maine is one of the few U.S. states (and the only eastern state) with a sizeable moose population. While Orono is not a beach town, we can’t forget to mention the creature Maine is most known for: the American lobster.

Things to Do in Orono

Orono is filled with countless activities, from breweries and restaurants to refuges and hiking trails. As mentioned earlier, one of the most popular attractions is the Orono Bog Walk, a one-mile loop trail through different vegetation and environments, including its peat moss-carpeted center. Along the path, you’ll see various species of bog plants and animals.

You can also attend exhibits at various museums, shop at the Orono Farmer’s Market, and tour the University of Maine.

Onoro encompasses Maine’s charming small-town feel that everyone loves about New England. As a highly residential area filled with homeowners, families, and young professionals, you’re in great company when you’re visiting Orono.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lamar Sellers/Shutterstock.com