Portland, ME – A colder and wetter pattern is setting up across Maine as November ends and December begins, bringing a heightened chance for early-season snow across interior regions and cold rain along the coast.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures from Nov. 29 through Dec. 5 are expected to trend below normal statewide, including coastal communities like Portland, inland cities such as Bangor and Lewiston, and northern areas stretching toward Caribou and Fort Kent. Overnight lows could frequently dip below freezing across central and northern Maine, supporting wintry precipitation during passing systems.
NOAA’s precipitation outlook also shows a strong signal for above-normal precipitation, placing all of Maine in line for multiple rounds of rain, snow, or mixed precipitation depending on location and elevation.
Coastal zones — including Portland, South Portland, and coastal York and Cumberland counties — are most likely to see cold rain, though brief periods of wet snow are possible if colder air moves in at the right time. Interior and northern Maine hold the highest probability for accumulating snow, especially the western foothills, the Highlands, and areas north of Bangor.
Although no single major winter storm is highlighted at this range, the evolving pattern supports a series of disturbances that could create slick roads, reduced visibility, and minor travel delays, particularly on routes such as I-95, Route 2, and the Maine Turnpike.
With December approaching and colder air settling in, Maine residents — especially those in the interior — should monitor updated local forecasts as early-winter weather expands across the state.
