The Date You Can Expect to See First Snowfall in 4 Maine Cities

For most people across Maine, they've already awoken to the first frost of the year. The evening temperatures are cooling and the heat is likely coming on overnight.

Those are the typical signs that winter is approaching for Maine. While the state has seen some warmer winters in recent years, the snow always falls at some point.

As winter closes in, here's a snapshot of how the snow adds up in four major cities throughout Maine, courtesy of How Much Will It Snow and Current Results.

The following data shows the average day where the first snowfall hits, the amount of snowstorms (1-5 inches) happen in each city as well as how major snowstorms (6+ inches) occur in each setting.

The First Snowfall Date For Portland, Maine, is Predicted For November 19

First Snowfall Date: November 19

Snowstorms Per Winter: 16

Major Snowstorms Per Winter: 5

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For most people who live in and around Portland, Maine, it probably feels like winter keeps showing up a little bit later each year.

There's some truth to that, as the average date for the first official snowfall keeps creeping later on the calendar each year. 50 years ago, Portland's first snowfall date averaged out to be November 15.

The record for first measurable snowfall in Portland was October 10, 1979.

The First Snowfall Date for Augusta, Maine, is Predicted For November 21

First Snowfall Date: November 21

Snowstorms Per Winter: 20

Major Snowstorms Per Winter: 6

tree covered with snow

Central Maine's weather doesn't vary a whole lot from that of major cities in southern Maine. Augusta sees a handful of additional snow events that Portland doesn't, and is privy to an additional major snow event or two throughout the coldest months of the year.

The First Snowfall Date for Bangor, Maine, is Predicted For November 14

Date of First Snowfall: November 14

Snowstorms Per Winter: 20

Major Snowstorms Per Winter: 6

Bare trees dusted with snow in autumn woods

Bangor's data is a bit misleading because over the last five winters, the town has averaged only 15 storms per winter, four major snowstorms, and about 50 inches total snow.

The outlier was the winter of 2022-2023, where Bangor got hit with nearly 90 inches of snow.

The First Snowfall Date for Presque Isle, Maine, is Predicted For October 29

First Snowfall Date: October 29

Snowstorms Per Winter: 28

Major Snowstorms Per Winter: 8

yellow and black bird on tree branch during daytime

While the mountains get the headlines when it comes to snow in Maine, 'the County' takes the brunt of the pain.

Presque Isle's first snowfall date happens well before the winter solstice, and their last snowfall date happens well after the spring solstice.

That leads to a long, grueling winter for northern Maine that features a ton of snowstorms and the most major snowstorms of any region in the state.