CAMDEN — The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Camden, among other Midcoast towns, at 2:21 p.m. Wednesday. The warning extended through 3 p.m.

And it was about that time, 3 p.m., when the sky began to darken behind Mt. Battie and the smell of rain wafted across the Camden Public Landing with the increasing wind. By 3:15, the storm, which was approaching from the northwest, and it’s dark storm clouds covered dowtown Camden and the radar showed a long, thin line of storms marching up across the state.

One very distant rumble of thunder could be heard, and then low white clouds, looking almost like drifting smoke, began to whirl above the parking lot, encroaching toward the harbor.

Camden Harbormaster Steve Pixley’s marine band radio was crackling with life, as schooner captains, their vessels filled with tourists and out sailing in Penobscot Bay, called in for weather updates and to alert those on shore they were heading back in to the safety of shore.

At 3:20 p.m., the skies opened up, sending tourists scrambling for cover from the rain. Two minutes after the deluge began, Pixley realized his car’s windows and sunroof were wide open out in the parking lot, behind his office.

“It needed a cleaning anyway,” he said, sprinting back through the raindrops.

And then the schooners began to make their way in, traveling along the Wayfarer side of the channel and making the turn at the head of the harbor, slowly motoring to their docks to unload passengers. First the Appledore made the approach, its guests on deck standing and wearing windbreakers and other jackets, their hoods up and some still holding beverage mugs in hand. Next in was Olad, and then Lazy Jack II. The passengers on the two smaller schooners were all decked out in clear plastic rain ponchos, handed out by the schooner crews when the weather turned and the weather service began issuing warnings of the impending storm.

Despite the interruption in what otherwise had been a beautiful afternoon for those visiting and working downtown, the storm was brief, the rain passed quickly, the lightning and thunder stayed away and those departing the schooners did so with smiles and laughter of the adventure they had just shared.

And then it was over, and life downtown returned to normal, with the addition of puddles for kids to kick around in. Enjoy your summer, no matter the weather.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.