Portland, Maine – A busy Christmas travel week is taking shape across Maine, with changing temperatures and mixed precipitation possible as travelers prepare for trips Dec 19–Dec 23. The end-of-week pattern favors above-normal temperatures overall, but timing will matter for anyone driving I-95, Route 1, or heading to Portland International Jetport.
Sunday starts quietly, but attention quickly turns to midweek as a broad storm track sets up across the northern U.S. According to the National Weather Service in Gray, periods of rain or a rain-and-snow mix may develop late Thursday into Friday, with colder air lingering farther north and inland. Coastal Portland is more likely to see rain at first, but brief freezing rain or wet snow cannot be ruled out during overnight hours.
This is the weekend many families hit the road early to beat holiday crowds. Roads could turn slick at times, especially north of Portland toward Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor, where colder air increases the chance of icy patches. Airline passengers should also plan for possible delays during peak travel windows if precipitation overlaps with early-morning or evening departures.
Temperatures later in the week are expected to run milder than average for late December, which may limit widespread snow totals near the coast. Even so, fast-changing conditions can create hazards. According to MaineDOT, travelers should allow extra time, keep winter kits in vehicles, and monitor road conditions closely.
If you’re traveling, charge devices, share itineraries, and check on pets and pipes at home. Weather conditions may shift quickly, and flexibility will be key during one of the busiest travel stretches of the year.
