NOAA Portland Jetport averages 68.7 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA January is the snowiest month at 18.6 inches; February averages 16.6 and December 14.6NOAA About 16.4 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the JetportNOAA Normal January low: 15.6°FNOAA data Median first measurable snow at the Jetport: November 26 (our analysis, 1991–2019)NOAA data About 80 freeze-thaw days a winter, November to March (our analysis)City of Portland Businesses: a 4-foot sidewalk path within 12 hours after the snow stops (Sec. 25-173)City of Portland Homes (1–4 units): a 4-foot path within 18 hours after the snow stops or the city last clears the street, whichever is laterCity of Portland Sidewalk fines: $75 / $125 / $250 for homes; $250 / $500 / $1,000 for businessesCity of Portland Parking bans run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. when called: $130 ticket, $135 towSouth Portland Overnight parking ban, midnight to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1, every city streetSouth Portland Pushing private snow onto a street or sidewalk: fines up to $500 / $750 / $1,000, and the owner is liable for the contractorMEMA 10–12 inches of fresh snow weighs about 5 lb per square foot of roofProMatcher Portland, Maine driveway and sidewalk plow visit: $47.19 average ($41.94–$52.43)SIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over yearNOAA Portland Jetport averages 68.7 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals)NOAA January is the snowiest month at 18.6 inches; February averages 16.6 and December 14.6NOAA About 16.4 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more at the JetportNOAA Normal January low: 15.6°FNOAA data Median first measurable snow at the Jetport: November 26 (our analysis, 1991–2019)NOAA data About 80 freeze-thaw days a winter, November to March (our analysis)City of Portland Businesses: a 4-foot sidewalk path within 12 hours after the snow stops (Sec. 25-173)City of Portland Homes (1–4 units): a 4-foot path within 18 hours after the snow stops or the city last clears the street, whichever is laterCity of Portland Sidewalk fines: $75 / $125 / $250 for homes; $250 / $500 / $1,000 for businessesCity of Portland Parking bans run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. when called: $130 ticket, $135 towSouth Portland Overnight parking ban, midnight to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1, every city streetSouth Portland Pushing private snow onto a street or sidewalk: fines up to $500 / $750 / $1,000, and the owner is liable for the contractorMEMA 10–12 inches of fresh snow weighs about 5 lb per square foot of roofProMatcher Portland, Maine driveway and sidewalk plow visit: $47.19 average ($41.94–$52.43)SIMA Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over year

Check Before You Go

These are the official places to check, and we link every one.

What	Where to check	Source
Maine road conditions	New England 511, newengland511.org (covers Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont)	New England 511 (Maine road conditions)
Forecasts, winter storm watches and warnings	National Weather Service Gray/Portland, weather.gov/gyx	National Weather Service Gray/Portland
Portland parking bans and alerts	The city's Parking Bans page; sign up for alerts at portlandmaine.gov/stayconnected	City of Portland
Snow on a Portland street	Public Works dispatch, staffed 24 hours in winter: 207-874-8493	City of Portland
Nor'easter preparation	National Weather Service nor'easter safety page	National Weather Service

Parking Bans

Portland

Bans are called as needed and run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., citywide, on the peninsula or in the downtown Yellow Zone. Ticket $130 (reduced to $40 if towed), tow $135, plus $80 for special equipment such as for EVs or AWD. Use the 28 on-street ban lots or a garage.

South Portland

No overnight parking on any city street from midnight to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1.

Falmouth

No overnight parking on town streets from midnight to 6 a.m., November 15 to April 15, and no parking that interferes with plowing.

Sources: City of Portland, City of South Portland, Town of Falmouth.

How the Plows Work

South Portland's crews clear city sidewalks after the streets, with school routes first. Scarborough plows 350 lane-miles with 18 trucks and widens streets after the storm, and Falmouth notes that widening plows refill cleared driveway openings. Plan a return trip to the end of your driveway.

Sources: City of South Portland, Town of Scarborough, Town of Falmouth. Advisories change with each storm; always check New England 511 and the National Weather Service before you go.

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