Portland, Maine – Maine is settling into a prolonged stretch of Arctic cold that will define daily life from late January into the heart of winter, with subzero nights becoming common across the state and little sign of a meaningful warmup before Valentine’s Day. From the rocky shoreline along Casco Bay to the deep woods near Baxter State Park, temperatures are expected to remain locked well below normal, especially overnight.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperature outlooks through early and mid-February strongly favor below-normal conditions across New England, with the highest confidence centered over northern and interior Maine. Data from the 6–10 day, 8–14 day, and extended outlooks show persistent Arctic influence holding firm into the first half of February.
In Portland, daytime highs may occasionally climb into the teens or low 20s, but nighttime lows will routinely drop into the single digits. Bangor faces colder conditions, with several nights below zero likely as Arctic air drains south along the Penobscot River Valley. In Aroostook County, including Presque Isle and Caribou, subzero temperatures could dominate both nights and some daytime hours, stressing vehicles, plumbing, and power infrastructure.
The extended cold raises concerns beyond travel. Frostbite can develop in minutes during windy conditions, while hypothermia risks rise for anyone working or recreating outdoors. Pets should be kept indoors as much as possible, and residents are urged to check heating systems, insulate exposed pipes, and carry winter survival kits in vehicles, especially along remote routes like Route 1 and I-95 north of Bangor.
While brief moderation is possible at times, long-range signals suggest the Arctic grip may not fully loosen until after Valentine’s Day. Additional cold weather advisories remain possible as Maine moves deeper into this extended winter stretch.
