AI-generatedPortland, Maine at a glance
- Best time
- Jul – Aug
- Warmest month
- Jul · 24°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 17.7°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,220 h
- Rain a year
- 1,071 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC−5 / UTC−4
- Elevation
- 19 m
Climate in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 24 °C, while January is the coolest at 0 °C. With around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year, Portland, Maine is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 8.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: July – August
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
06:5418:00
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:36–07:33 · evening 17:21–18:17
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:25–06:36 · evening 18:17–18:29
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Portland, Maine in October?
In October, Portland, Maine is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 12.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 110 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 6 min06:54 – 18:00
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 19 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 54 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−4America/New_York
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %38 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %61 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Portland, Maine
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.4 – 13.7 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Portland, Maine ranges from 3.7 °C in March to 17.7 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From November to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 16.5 and 18.9 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5.5° | 4.5° | 6.6° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 4.0° | 3.1° | 4.8° | cold |
| MarchMar | 3.7° | 2.7° | 4.9° | cold |
| AprilApr | 5.5° | 4.6° | 6.5° | cold |
| MayMay | 9.1° | 8.1° | 10.2° | cold |
| JuneJun | 13.2° | 12.1° | 14.2° | cold |
| JulyJul | 16.7° | 15.5° | 18.0° | cold |
| AugustAug | 17.7° | 16.5° | 18.9° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 15.9° | 15.2° | 17.0° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 12.6° | 11.4° | 13.7° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 9.7° | 8.8° | 10.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 7.4° | 6.6° | 8.6° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Portland, Maine
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.3 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Portland, Maine, 48 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Portland, Maine
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 40 min
- Fair skin
- about 50 min
- Light brown skin
- about 70 min
- Olive skin
- about 90 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Portland, Maine: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Portland, Maine has about 10 rainy days with 110 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Portland, Maine
How breezy and how cloudy Portland, Maine is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Portland, Maine typically peaks at 19 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Nov – Apr.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 54 % of the sky over Portland, Maine: variable cloud, with about 5.3 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Portland, Maine
How often the day gets hot in Portland, Maine (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Portland, Maine has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 14 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Portland, Maine
When Portland, Maine is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Portland, Maine.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Portland, Maine
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in January (−7°), the warmest in July (18°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 24 days a year, mostly in July.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 17 | 0° | −7° | 5.5° | 4.4 h | 10 | 87 |
| FebruaryFeb | 21 | 1° | −7° | 4.0° | 5.3 h | 9 | 80 |
| MarchMar | 22 | 5° | −3° | 3.7° | 6.2 h | 10 | 102 |
| AprilApr | 23 | 10° | 3° | 5.5° | 6.6 h | 11 | 101 |
| MayMay | 25 | 16° | 9° | 9.1° | 7.1 h | 10 | 77 |
| JuneJun | 34 | 20° | 14° | 13.2° | 7.4 h | 11 | 85 |
| JulyJul | 58 | 24° | 18° | 16.7° | 8.1 h | 10 | 83 |
| AugustAug | 58 | 24° | 18° | 17.7° | 7.5 h | 9 | 73 |
| SeptemberSep | 33 | 20° | 14° | 15.9° | 6.6 h | 8 | 81 |
| OctoberOct | 20 | 14° | 9° | 12.6° | 5.3 h | 10 | 110 |
| NovemberNov | 18 | 8° | 3° | 9.7° | 4.5 h | 9 | 83 |
| DecemberDec | 14 | 3° | −3° | 7.4° | 4.0 h | 10 | 111 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
43.66° N, 70.26° W · 19 m · America/New_York
Best time to visit Portland, Maine
The best time to visit Portland, Maine is from July to August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 17.7 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to September. The wettest month is December with 111 mm of precipitation.
Portland, Maine through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Portland, Maine in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 5–16 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Portland, Maine in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 20–24 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Portland, Maine in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 8–20 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Portland, Maine in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 0–3 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Portland, Maine for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Portland, Maine
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Portland, Maine: score 58 against 20. In July, days are 10 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 4 °C warmer in July. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 20 | 58better |
| Day high | 14° | 24° |
| Night low | 9° | 18° |
| Sea | 12.6° | 16.7° |
| Sunshine | 5.3 h | 8.1 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 10 | 10 |
| Rainfall | 110 mm | 83 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 10 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Snow
Dec – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Portland, Maine month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
17January0° · Sea 6° · 4 h
In January, Portland, Maine is freezing cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sea averages 5.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 10 days, totalling 87 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in January21February1° · Sea 4° · 5 h
In February, Portland, Maine is freezing cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sea averages 4.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 9 days, totalling 80 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in February22March5° · Sea 4° · 6 h
In March, Portland, Maine is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 3.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 102 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in March23April10° · Sea 6° · 7 h
In April, Portland, Maine is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 5.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 101 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in April25May16° · Sea 9° · 7 h
In May, Portland, Maine is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 9.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in May34June20° · Sea 13° · 7 h
In June, Portland, Maine is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 13.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 85 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in June58July24° · Sea 17° · 8 h
In July, Portland, Maine is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 16.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 83 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in July58August24° · Sea 18° · 8 h
In August, Portland, Maine is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 17.7 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 73 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in August33September20° · Sea 16° · 7 h
In September, Portland, Maine is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 15.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 81 mm. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in September20October14° · Sea 13° · 5 h
In October, Portland, Maine is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 12.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 110 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in October18November8° · Sea 10° · 5 h
In November, Portland, Maine is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 9.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 83 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in November14December3° · Sea 7° · 4 h
In December, Portland, Maine is cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 7.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 10 days, totalling 111 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine in DecemberPortland, Maine compared
Put Portland, Maine side by side with another destination.
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Portland vs. Kennebunkport
In October the holiday weather in Portland and Kennebunkport is about equally good (score 20 vs. 20). During the day it is about as warm in Kennebunkport as in Portland. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Portland | Kennebunkport |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 20 | 20 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 14° |
| Sea | 13° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 10 | 10 |
| Best time | Jul – Aug | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
USA in October: the best places
In October, Portland, Maine ranks 26 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Raleigh22°84
- 2Richmond21°82
- 3Washington20°19°81
- 4Philadelphia19°18°79
- 5Baltimore19°18°79
- 6New York18°18°77
- 7Providence17°17°70
- 8Pittsburgh18°69
- 26PortlandThis page14°13°20
Planning a trip to Portland, Maine
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Portland, Maine in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Portland, Maine has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 58) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 16).
- 23
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 9 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 27
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 58
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
FairBest holidays
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 20
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 16
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 1 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 4.2 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 6 h 40 min
- Distance
- 5,110 km
- Time zone
- UTC−4
- Jet lag
- About 3 days (5 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Portland, Maine
When is the best time to visit Portland, Maine?
The best time to visit Portland, Maine is from July to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Portland, Maine?
The sea temperature in Portland, Maine ranges from 3.7 °C in March to 17.7 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Portland, Maine in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 12.6 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Portland, Maine?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C and nights around 18 °C. January is the coolest month at 0 °C.
When does it rain most in Portland, Maine?
The wettest month is December with 111 mm of precipitation. The driest month is August with 73 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Portland, Maine get?
Portland, Maine gets around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 8.1 hours a day; in December there are 4.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Portland, Maine in?
Portland, Maine uses the time zone America/New_York: UTC−5 in January and UTC−4 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Portland, Maine?
A nonstop flight from London to Portland, Maine takes about 6 h 40 min, for a straight-line distance of about 5,110 km.
Which school holidays are best for Portland, Maine?
Portland, Maine has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 58) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 16). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 23, May half-term 27, Summer holidays 58, October half-term 20, Christmas holidays 16.
Near Portland, Maine
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Portland, Maine
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Portland, Maine's – good alternatives.