Weather & Climate in Bowdoinham, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bowdoinham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 66.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. 85% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 120 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 216/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0212°N, 69.9013°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Kennebec County County |
| Nearest Airport | Portland International Jetport (PWM) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 84.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 77 km | 16 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 119 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 59 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 2000 | 4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine | M3.6 | 75 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2000 | 4 km W of Leeds, Maine | M3.5 | 39 km | 10 km |
| Jan 14, 2023 | 7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine | M3.3 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 1994 | 4 km WNW of Norway, Maine | M3.0 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine | M3.0 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2010 | 7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine | M3.0 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 130 km | 25 km |
| Feb 12, 1995 | 1 km NNE of Turner, Maine | M2.8 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Jul 28, 2024 | 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine | M2.8 | 24 km | 8 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine | M2.7 | 82 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 81 mph | 298 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 98 mph | 165 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
70 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 9, 2000 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1996 | EF2 | 29 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1971 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 43 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1966 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1961 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 65 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF1 | 74 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF1 | 99 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 93 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF1 | 49 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2009 | EF1 | 60 km | 16.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2005 | EF1 | 23 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2002 | EF1 | 63 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2008 | MAINE | Avalanche | 3.6 m | - | 29 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 in |
Bowdoinham has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 21°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (6.0") and August the driest (3.3").