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When does it first snow in Portland (Maine), ME?

At Portland (Maine), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 26. That is the median over the last 30 snow seasons: half of seasons saw it earlier, half later. In about 1 season in 10 it came by Nov 9, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 11 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Jan 16 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 10, and the last freeze of spring around May 1.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; no 32°F freeze recorded yet at this station. Compare with the typical dates above. This is observed data and can lag by a day or two, and it is not a forecast.

Nov 26Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

66.1"Average snowfall per season

40%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 10Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 1Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

166Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Portland (Maine)

First day with…	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest in 30 seasons	Latest in 30 seasons	Seasons with one
0.1" of snow or more (measurable)	Nov 26	Nov 9 – Dec 11	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 16 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 6	Nov 14 – Dec 21	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 16 (1999-00)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 16	Dec 2 – Jan 19	Nov 14 (1997-98)	Jan 31 (2001-02)	100%

Based on 30 seasons (July–June, 1995-96 to 2024-25) with at least 85% complete daily snowfall records at the station. Dates are for a single day’s snowfall, so "1 inch" means one calendar day with 1" or more, not total accumulation.

Chance the first snow has already happened by a given date

Snowfall	By Nov 1	By Dec 1	By Jan 1
0.1"+ (measurable)	3%	57%	97%
1"+	3%	30%	93%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 5 (median).

White Christmas odds in Portland (Maine)

NOAA defines a white Christmas as at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of December 25. Using the last 30 years of daily snow-depth records (1995–2024) at this station, Portland (Maine) had that in 40% of years, at least 3 inches in 27%, and at least 6 inches in 13%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.1 inches and the deepest was 13 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 17% of years. Based on 30 years with a recorded depth on Dec 25.

Chance of at least 1 inch of snow on the ground, by date

Share of the last 30 years with 1"+ snow depth within 3 days of each date. Snow cover is most likely around Jan 22 (88%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Portland (Maine)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 10	Oct 4 – Oct 26	Sep 29 (1995) / Nov 3 (2014)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 1	Apr 23 – May 11	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 14 – Nov 8	Oct 5 (1996) / Nov 14 (2014)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Apr 4 – Apr 27	–	100%

Based on the station’s daily minimum temperature, 1995–2024. “Freeze” here means a daily low at or below the threshold, which is not the same as visible frost. Your yard can differ by several degrees and days from an airport weather station, so use these as planning odds, not guarantees.

The median stretch between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze (the freeze-free season) was about 166 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Portland Jetport (USW00014764), elevation 44 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

Planning for winter? Heat pump vs gas furnace, propane and oil: heating cost in Maine (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).