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Weather & Climate in South Portland, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Portland experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 68.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 61 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.5°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 61 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 14.0 sq mi (36.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,222/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6314°N, 70.2860°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cumberland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Portland International Jetport (PWM) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
49 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 | 30 km | 16 km |
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 113 km | 3 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 67 km | 11 km |
| Jan 17, 2000 | 4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine | M3.6 | 105 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2000 | 4 km W of Leeds, Maine | M3.5 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 101 km | 1 km |
| Nov 20, 1994 | 4 km WNW of Norway, Maine | M3.0 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 105 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 110 km | 8 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 89 km | 25 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 97 km | 8 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 116 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 281 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
81 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 34 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 92 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 99 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 92 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1996 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 75 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1972 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1966 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1963 | EF2 | 68 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1957 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 59 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF1 | 32 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.3 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 | — | 51 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 in |
South Portland has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (3.2").