GRAY (AP) – Record-breaking warmth sent temperatures soaring to 90 or higher across much of the state on Wednesday.

The temperature in Portland topped out at 90 degrees, breaking the record of 84 set in 1961, said Michael Cempa of the National Weather Service.

In Bangor, the temperature hit 91 degrees, breaking the record of 88 set in 1930 and Caribou’s high of 81 degrees broke the record of 74 degrees set in 1994, he said.

Humid conditions will continue, but rain today and Friday should cool things down, Cempa said. By the weekend, temperatures will be reaching the 60s, he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people are in the dark following a powerful thunderstorm that toppled trees and downed power lines.

Central Maine Power put the number of power outages at 720, with the bulk of them in the Augusta area. CMP communications center supervisor Kevin Howes says 45 mph gusts sent tree limbs crashing and knocked down a few utility poles.

Meteorologist Eric Schwibs from the National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm warning was posted as the storm swept through Western Maine and then through the capital region before hitting Rockland and blowing out to sea.