GRAY (AP) — A rare February thunderstorm is the latest wacky weather this winter, with strong gusts knocking out power to more than 16,000 homes and businesses in Maine.
Flashes of lightning and powerful thunderclaps swept across the state Thursday morning.
The February thunderstorm warnings were the first issued by the National Weather Service in Gray in 19 years and the first by the Caribou office since it was created 17 years ago.
Central Maine Power and Emera Maine each reported that more than 8,000 customers were without power at the peak. Crews had restored power to all but a couple hundred by Thursday afternoon.
Warm temperatures followed the severe weather. The temperature climbed to 53 degrees Thursday in Portland and 63 in Concord, New Hampshire — new records for the date.
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