BANGOR – A lot of folks were pretty uncomfortable Wednesday, the hottest day of the year so far, but the high temperatures caused far fewer problems than anticipated.

With temperatures in the 90s, people were seeking out air conditioning and ice cream and waiting for the predicted evening thunderstorms that were expected to cool things off for the rest of the week.

Medical emergencies caused by the soaring temperatures seemed to be at a minimum, with regional hospitals and emergency agencies reporting nothing out of the ordinary and no increases in heat-related illnesses or emergency room visits.

The high on Wednesday in Bangor was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a heat index of 92 degrees, while the highest temperature in the state was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in Brunswick, Portland and Wiscasset, according to the National Weather Service in Caribou.

Along with the humidity, the heat index – a measure of how hot it really feels – hit 107 in Sanford and 105 in Portland, according to the National Weather Service.

In New Hampshire, Nashua hit 98 degrees with a heat index of 111 degrees, while Portsmouth felt as if it was 110. In Vermont, the heat index hit 101 degrees in Burlington.

While conditions didn’t reach an emergency state, personal discomfort was a major concern for people on Wednesday. Sales of fans and air conditioning units spiked since the weekend, when residents knew that temperatures would rise.

The Home Depot in Bangor sold out of all fan models over the weekend and moved 200 air-conditioning units off the shelf on Monday, according to one sales clerk.

“Sales have been brisk,” associate Bob Gilbert said Wednesday.

The increase in fan and air-conditioner use has created a lot of stress on the New England power grid. Gov. John Baldacci’s office sent out a press release Wednesday afternoon listing energy conservation tips and requesting that Maine people use as little electricity as possible.

“We can all do our part to help keep the lights on throughout New England by taking a few simple steps to conserve energy,” Baldacci was quoted as saying.

Among those recommendations was increasing air conditioning thermostats by a few degrees; turning off any unneeded lights and appliances; and waiting to do such chores that require electricity, such as laundry, until after 8 p.m.

The governor’s office also recommended that neighbors check on one another, particularly the elderly, to make sure they are all right.

Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. has felt the strain on the power grid directly, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

“We have received notification from ISO New England that we are in a power watch situation, and at the company we have turned off all nonessential lights and equipment,” Kathy Billings, a Bangor Hydro representative, said Wednesday.

The company also has asked its larger customers to begin conservation efforts, according to Andrea Littlefield, a communications specialist for the company. The efforts, however, have been focused mainly on large energy consumers.

“At this point we’re not asking for residential customers to conserve,” she said.

According to Bangor Assistant Fire Chief Rick Cheverie, the department received a number of heat-related emergency calls from the Bangor State Fair but not more than is normal. There were nine calls on Tuesday and a couple on Wednesday, Cheverie said.

The fire official recommended that people continue to take extra precautions against the heat.

“Drink plenty of fluids, try to if you start feeling a little overheated seek a place that is air conditioned or in the shade,” he said.

Old Town City Hall, located on the second floor of Bangor Savings Bank on Main Street, closed at 2 p.m. because the building’s air conditioning wasn’t working.

The system was working downstairs but not in the city offices, according to Old Town City Manager Peggy Daigle.

“Because it’s a brick building and had been off for the last day or so, it’s going to take a period of time before it gets down to optimum cooling temperature,” Daigle said Wednesday.

The University of Southern Maine canceled classes and activities at noon because of health and safety concerns about the heat.

In the afternoon, the weather service put out warnings for thunderstorms in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire with damaging winds and heavy rains.

Wednesday’s attendance at the Bangor State Fair wasn’t affected by the high temps, according to a fair official. Overall, attendance to date has been about average, though not as good as organizers had anticipated.

“A perfect beach day is not a perfect fair day,” Mike Dyer, Bass Park director, said Wednesday.

Local residents also took time on Wednesday to seek out a cool treat.

“It’s been very steady,” Rhonda Charette of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream on Broadway said.

Local residents especially have been visiting the ice cream stand during evening hours. Charette said she had noticed an increase in customers after 8 p.m.

“[It] hasn’t been quite as busy as expected because of the fair,” she said.

The Associated Press and Bangor Daily News reporters Aimee Dolloff and Jennifer L. Nelson contributed to this report.