Maine's Seasonal Weather & Climate Patterns - Visit Maine (2024)

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Maine's Seasonal Weather & Climate Patterns - Visit Maine (1)If you visit Maine in the summer, you can expect temperatures as high as the 80s along the coast and up to the 90s inland. Summer nights are usually comfortably cool. You may see some heavy ground fog along the coast or in low-lying inland areas. Some severe thunderstorms may occur between May and August.

Climatological Division

Maine is divided into three climatological divisions: Coastal, Southern Interior, and Northern Interior. The Coastal Division, which extends for about twenty miles inland along the length of the coast, is tempered by the ocean, resulting in lower summer and higher winter temperatures than are typical of interior zones. The Southern Interior Division extends in a longitudinal belt across the southern portion of the State, and encompasses about 30% of Maine's total area. The Northern Interior Division occupies nearly 60% of the State's area and has a continental climate. It is furthest from the ocean and contains the highest elevations.

Temperatures

Winters are generally cold, but very prolonged cold spells are rare. Average annual snowfall in Maine is 50 to 70 inches along the coast and 60-110 inches inland. The coast rarely has more than 15 to 20 days annually with snowfall of one inch or more, although a "Northeaster" may occasionally drop 10 or more inches of snow in a single day. January is normally the snowiest month, with an average of about 20 inches.

Precipitation

Precipitation is generally even throughout the year, although some flooding may occur in late winter and early spring. Maine is rarely subjected to ice storms, hurricanes or tornadoes.

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Maine's Seasonal Weather & Climate Patterns - Visit Maine (2024)

FAQs

Maine's Seasonal Weather & Climate Patterns - Visit Maine? ›

Maine's climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Winter average temperatures range from 25°F in the far south to less than 15°F in the northern and interior portions of the state. Summer average temperatures range from near 60°F in the far north to near 70°F in the south.

What are the seasonal changes in Maine? ›

In fact, Maine's winters are warming faster than any other season. The increased length in the warm season has occurred mostly in early fall, in turn extending the growing season by 16 days on average statewide since 1950. Despite this, some years have seen killing frosts in late spring/early fall.

Does Maine have four seasons? ›

Maine enjoys a healthy, invigorating climate with four distinct seasons. Our good air quality and moderate temperatures make Maine a four-season vacation destination.

What is the weather like in Maine in the summer? ›

Maine summers are warm and inviting, with comfortable temperatures averaging 78°F/26°C during the day and 66°F/18°C in the evening. Maine has one of the most comfortable statewide summer climates in the continental United States.

What are the climate regions of Maine? ›

Climatological Division

Maine is divided into three climatological divisions: Coastal, Southern Interior, and Northern Interior.

What are the weather patterns in Maine? ›

Maine's climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Winter average temperatures range from 25°F in the far south to less than 15°F in the northern and interior portions of the state. Summer average temperatures range from near 60°F in the far north to near 70°F in the south.

What are the best seasons to visit Maine? ›

The best time to visit Maine is from late spring to early fall.

What is the hottest month in Maine? ›

July is the hottest month in Maine with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F) and the coldest is January at -5°C (22°F).

What season is Maine known for? ›

The tourist season in Maine is during the summer. The summer months of July and August are especially busy for tourism when Maine has the best weather and warm waters at the beaches.

Does it rain a lot in Maine? ›

It rains often and the average temp is around 45–65 degrees F. The summer is humid, it rains a lot and ranges from cloudy to sunny, and the average temp is 65–85 degrees F.

Is Maine expensive to live in? ›

According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data for 2021, the average annual cost of living in Maine is $50,559. While according to data gathered in 2022 from MERIC, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the state ranks 40th in a list of states with the lowest to the highest cost of living.

What is the hottest it gets in Maine? ›

Maine's record high temperature of 105°F, set on July 10, 1911, is now 112 years old. Twelve Maine towns and cities have daily high temperature records of 100 degrees and above. Six of the records were set in 1975.

Is Maine humid in summer? ›

Nearly all of the state is in a single climate classification–"warm-summer humid continental"–but that broad stroke doesn't quite capture the variation within the state.

Is Maine tropical or polar? ›

Answer and Explanation: Not surprisingly, since Maine is so far north, almost the entire state is in the cold climate zone. One county, Aroostook, which is located in the northernmost part of the state, is in the very cold climate zone.

Is Maine dry or humid? ›

Maine has an average humidity level of 78.50%. Located in the northeastern part of the US, Maine experiences a humid continental climate with relatively high humidity levels.

Does Maine have tropical storms? ›

Each year, an average of 10 tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. In Maine, hurricanes don't happen often but they can be devastating when they do. Previous storms that had impact on Maine are: Carol and Edna in 1954, Donna in 1960, Gloria in 1985, and Bob in 1991.

What are the examples of seasonal changes? ›

Some examples might include: the sun setting earlier/days getting shorter; leaves changing color; geese migrating, flying overhead in a V-formation; the appearance of monarch butterflies, heading South; the days getting colder; squirrels gathering and burying acorns; and plants ending their growing season, drying out ...

What are the season changes? ›

According to this definition, for temperate areas in the northern hemisphere, spring begins on 1 March, summer on 1 June, autumn on 1 September, and winter on 1 December. For the southern hemisphere temperate zone, spring begins on 1 September, summer on 1 December, autumn on 1 March, and winter on 1 June.

What is Maine shoulder season? ›

Whether you're planning a trip to leaf peep or eat fresh lobster, there's always a good time to visit Maine. The tourist seasons here fall into three main categories: High Season: June to August. Shoulder Seasons: May and September to October.

What was the year without a summer in Maine? ›

But in 1816, summer never came to the New England states. May frost killed off most of the crops in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In June, heavy snow smothered the ground in Albany, New York and Dennysville, Maine, while frost persisted for five consecutive nights in Cape May, New Jersey.

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