Portland, Maine – A colder and increasingly snowy pattern is expected to tighten its grip on Maine as December begins, prompting a December Snow Alert for the state as winter weather in Portland trends more active by the week. While it’s too early to determine exactly how many inches of snow could fall, one thing is certain: Maine is favored to see an above-average amount as the month unfolds.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation are favored statewide through December. This setup often delivers multiple storm opportunities, especially across western Maine, the foothills, and the Midcoast. According to the National Weather Service in Gray, the first stronger systems may organize during the second week of the month, with colder air remaining entrenched long enough to support accumulating snow inland and potential mixed precipitation along the immediate coast.
According to MaineDOT, early-season travel hazards will likely increase on I-295, Route 1, and the Maine Turnpike as fast-moving clippers and coastal lows track through. Reduced visibility, icy bridges, and quick bursts of heavy snow may slow the morning commute. Drivers should charge devices, keep emergency kits stocked, and allow extra time on untreated roads.
Holiday events, including parades and neighborhood tree-lightings, could face brief delays if storms align with evening gatherings. Residents should dress in layers, protect exposed pipes in rural areas, and prepare for localized outages when wetter snow loads weigh on power lines.
Though details on individual systems remain uncertain, long-range guidance points toward a colder, storm-supportive pattern — raising confidence that Maine is headed for a legitimately snowy December and boosting the odds for a White Christmas across sections of the state.
