A month by month list for Greater Portland homes, built around 18.6 inches of January snow, a muddy thaw, browntail moths from April through August and a wet October.
Portland's weather has a pattern you can plan around, even though it can surprise you on any given day. Average temperatures run from 24.0 degrees in January to 70.4 in July, and the Jetport averages about 131 days of measurable precipitation a year. Here is a month by month list to use as a guide. Pick what makes sense for your home.
The Jetport averages 68.7 inches of snow a year, with January the snowiest month at 18.6 inches, and about 74 days a year have at least an inch on the ground, most of them from December through February. Annual precipitation is 48.12 inches, with October the wettest month at 5.25 inches.
About 144 nights a year fall below freezing, and about 41 days stay below freezing all day, while only about 5 days a year reach 90 degrees. It is a climate of long heating seasons and short, mild summers.
January. The snowiest month, and the deepest part of the heating season. Wash entry mats often, wipe salt off floors before it dries, and check radiators and vents. Sort closets and basement shelves while you are indoors anyway, and keep a shovel and a bag of sand close to the door.
February. Snow cover continues. Change furnace filters, and dust screens and electronics. Keep walkways clear, particularly if you expect anyone at your door.
March. Melt begins, and sand is everywhere. Do a thorough sweep of the entry, and set out a boot tray for the mud that is on its way.
April. Maine forestry officials advise avoiding heavily infested browntail moth areas from April through August. If you are in one, do not dry laundry outside, and use a HEPA filter on your vacuum. Otherwise, it is a good month to wash the windows and shake out the rugs.
May. A good month for a One-Time Deep Clean. Heating season is finished, and winter's sand and dust have settled into baseboards and tracks.
June. Check ticks on clothes and pets after time outdoors. Maine CDC says about 14 tick species live in Maine, and the deer tick can carry the germs that cause Lyme disease. Wash bath mats, and clean bathroom fans before summer.
July. The warmest month, with an average of 70.4 degrees. Windows stay open, so dust settles faster. Near the beach, keep a foot brush at the door. Scarborough maintains three beaches with town parking, and Willard Beach in South Portland brings its own sand home on your feet.
August. Good for jobs outside: porch furniture, garage floors and the shed. Moth season should be easing, but continue to be careful in infested areas.
September. Pleasant and usually quiet. Have the heating system serviced, clean vent covers, and wash blankets and curtains before the house closes up. If your lease is turning over, read the move-out guide.
October. The wettest month, at 5.25 inches. Keep mats at every door and clear gutters and drains as leaves fall. Check for drafts and damp corners in older buildings.
November. A good month for a deep clean before holiday cooking. Falmouth's overnight parking ban starts November 15, so plan for that if you have guests or a service visit there.
December. South Portland's overnight parking ban starts December 1. Snow cover begins to build, so set up boot trays and mats. A Recurring House Clean can handle the regular work while you handle the holidays. Be ready for big storms too; Cumberland County was included in a federal disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding of January 9 to 13, 2024.
The questions Portland homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
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