Thanksgiving in Maine usually brings a mix of crisp air, chilly nights, and sometimes even snow. Daytime highs often land in the 30s to low 40s, with colder weather up north and milder temps near the coast.
Some years feel more like late fall, but other times, you get a real reminder that winter’s almost here. The weather can be a bit unpredictable.
Snow isn’t a sure thing, but you should always keep it in the back of your mind. In northern towns like Caribou, snow on the ground is pretty common. Meanwhile, places like Portland usually see rain or just bare ground.
This variety can make holiday planning a bit of a headache, especially if you’re driving across Maine. A short road trip can mean a big change in the weather.
Thanksgiving weather in Maine shapes your plans, whether you’re shoveling before the turkey goes in or figuring out how to pack for a road trip. If you know what to expect, you can prepare for anything from a peaceful, crisp day to a storm that slows travel and transforms the landscape overnight.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Maine
Late November brings cold air, frequent rain or snow, and short days. Mornings start off chilly and damp, and the sun sets early, which definitely affects your travel and outdoor plans.
Average Temperatures in Late November
By Thanksgiving week, most of Maine has settled into winter-like temperatures. Daytime highs usually sit in the upper 30s to low 40s along the coast.
Inland and northern spots often stay in the low to mid-30s. Nights dip into the 20s, and northern Maine sometimes sees temps in the teens.
Warm spells can happen, but they don’t last long. You might notice big temperature swings if you travel from the coast to inland areas.
The coast gets a bit of help from the Atlantic, so it stays a touch milder. Higher elevations and northern counties cool off faster.
Precipitation Patterns During Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving week often brings unsettled weather. Rain is typical along the southern and coastal areas, while inland and northern Maine see more snow or mixed precipitation.
Storm systems moving up the East Coast sometimes bring nor’easters. These storms can really mess with travel, bringing heavy rain, wet snow, or strong winds.
Even if there isn’t a big storm, light snow showers and drizzle are pretty common. Maine usually gets about 3 to 4 inches of precipitation in November, much of it in the second half of the month.
Wet roads and icy spots are something you should watch for, especially at night and early in the morning.
Daylight Hours and Sunset Times
By late November, Maine has some of its shortest days of the year. You’ll get around 9 hours of daylight, with the sun rising after 6:30 a.m. and setting before 4:15 p.m. in most places.
Up north, daylight is even shorter, and sunset can be as early as 3:50 p.m. That early darkness makes travel tougher, especially on rural roads with little lighting.
If you want to get outside, late morning or early afternoon is your best bet. The low sun angle makes the air feel colder, too, even when the thermometer says it’s average.
Snow and Winter Storms
Snow is a regular part of late November in Maine, but how much you get really depends on the year. Sometimes you just get a dusting, but other years bring several inches or even a big storm that messes up travel.
Likelihood of Snowfall on Thanksgiving
Your odds of seeing snow on Thanksgiving depend a lot on where you are. In southern spots like Portland or Bangor, it’s not too common—only about 15% of Thanksgivings have an inch or more of snow cover.
Up north, the odds jump. Caribou, for example, has about a 61% chance of waking up to measurable snow on Thanksgiving. That’s because it’s colder up there, and November feels more like mid-winter compared to the south.
Typical late November temps play a role, too. Bangor averages highs in the low 40s, while Caribou stays closer to the low 30s. Those colder temps make it easier for early-season storms to bring snow instead of rain.
Recent Thanksgiving Snow Events
Maine has had some snowy Thanksgivings. In 1987, Bangor got nearly a foot of snow on the holiday, which was one of the snowiest on record.
Caribou has seen big totals too, including 7.7 inches in 1971. Sometimes, storms right before Thanksgiving leave impressive snow depth—like in 1974, when Caribou reported 25 inches on the ground.
These events show how quickly things can go from bare ground to deep snowpack. Even a couple of inches can make roads slick and travel slow.
Wet, heavy snow is pretty common in November and often mixes with rain in southern Maine, making for slushy and icy conditions.
Impact of Winter Storms on Travel
If you’re planning to travel, winter storms can really throw a wrench in your plans. Roads get slippery by afternoon or evening, especially when rain turns to snow.
Inland areas usually have the highest risk for accumulation. Coastal zones deal more with heavy rain and sometimes localized flooding.
Airports in Portland, Bangor, and Presque Isle can see delays from snow and ice. Even a little snow during peak travel hours can cause problems.
To stay safe, keep an eye on National Weather Service alerts for storm warnings or advisories. Pack emergency supplies in your car, leave extra time for delays, and be ready to adjust your plans if snow or ice develops.
Rain and Freezing Rain Risks
Rain and freezing rain can both show up in Maine around Thanksgiving. The risk depends on temperatures, the path of storms, and whether you’re along the coast or farther inland.
These conditions can affect your travel and daily plans in different ways.
How Common Is Freezing Rain in November?
Freezing rain in Maine during November isn’t as frequent as snow or plain rain, but it does happen. It usually shows up when a storm pulls in warm air above cold ground.
This setup lets rain freeze on contact with roads, trees, and power lines. In northern Maine, freezing rain can happen a few times each November, though snow is still more likely.
Coastal areas get it less often since the ocean keeps things a bit warmer. November is one of Maine’s wetter months, with average precipitation between 3 and 4 inches.
Most of that falls as rain or snow, but sometimes you’ll get freezing rain, especially during storm transitions.
Coastal Versus Inland Precipitation
You’ll notice big differences between coastal and inland Maine during late November storms. Along the coast, rain is more likely because the ocean moderates temperatures.
Even when inland towns see snow or ice, Portland and nearby areas usually just get wet weather above freezing. Inland regions like Bangor and Caribou are colder and more open to Arctic air.
These places have a higher chance of mixed precipitation, including freezing rain. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Coastal Maine: Mostly rain, sometimes wet snow.
- Central Maine: Rain that can change to snow or freezing rain.
- Northern Maine: Snow is more common, but ice can show up during warm-air intrusions.
This coastal vs. inland divide matters for travel, since conditions can change fast over just a few miles.
Travel Safety During Icy Conditions
Freezing rain makes travel more dangerous than snow because it leaves a thin, hard-to-see layer of ice. Even a little bit can make highways and secondary roads slick.
Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so approach them with caution. If you need to drive, slow down and leave extra space between cars.
Road crews may take longer to treat icy surfaces than snowy ones. Air travel can get delayed, too, since freezing rain means more de-icing.
If you’re traveling by car, bus, or plane, allow extra time and check local forecasts often.
Regional Differences Across Maine
Thanksgiving weather in Maine really depends on where you are. Temperatures, snowfall, and even the type of precipitation can look totally different on the coast, inland, or up north.
Weather in Coastal Areas
Coastal Maine—think Portland, Bar Harbor, Boothbay—usually stays milder in late November. The Atlantic keeps daytime highs in the 40s°F (4–8°C) and nighttime lows in the 30s°F (-1–2°C).
Snow is less likely here around Thanksgiving. You’ll probably see cold rain or freezing rain during storms.
When snow does fall, it melts faster because the ocean keeps ground temps higher. Fog can be an issue, too.
Short days and cool ocean air sometimes create low visibility in the mornings, which can mess with travel if you’re on Route 1 or catching a ferry.
If you’re planning to be outside, the coast is often more manageable this time of year. Trails and harbors might still be open, but expect wet ground and chilly winds.
Conditions in Inland and Mountain Regions
Towns like Bangor and Augusta, plus mountain spots like Baxter State Park, cool down quickly by Thanksgiving. Daytime highs often stay in the 30s°F (0–4°C), and nights drop into the 20s°F (-6 to -2°C).
Snow is more common here. It’s not unusual for 2–6 inches to fall before or during the holiday week.
Mountains, including ski areas, usually get more snow and see it earlier than the coast. Travel can be tricky inland, with icy roads in the morning and slick mountain passes after even a light snowfall.
If you’re driving, winter tires are a smart idea. For recreation, winter sports are already starting up.
Ski resorts often open around late November if there’s enough snow. Hiking trails at higher elevations might already be covered in snow or ice, which limits access.
Northern Maine Climate Variations
Northern Maine, including Caribou and nearby towns, usually has the coldest Thanksgiving weather in the state. Daytime highs average in the upper 20s°F (-2 to -4°C), and lows often fall into the teens°F (-9 to -12°C).
Snow is just part of the landscape here by late November. Seasonal totals often pass 100 inches, and snowpack may already be building up by Thanksgiving.
Unlike the coast, snow up north tends to stick around for the season. Ice storms are also possible.
Cold air settles in valleys, and when warmer air moves in, freezing rain can coat roads and power lines. That makes travel even more challenging than in other parts of Maine.
If you’re heading up north, expect winter conditions to be in full swing. Snowmobile trails might not be open yet, but early snow sets the stage for a long winter.
Warm layers and sturdy boots are a must.
Thanksgiving Travel and Weather Impacts
Traveling during Thanksgiving in Maine means dealing with crowded roads and unpredictable late-fall weather. Highways get busy, and you might run into winter storms.
Conditions can flip from rain to snow pretty fast, depending on where you are. Planning your timing and checking weather forecasts helps you avoid the worst delays and hazards.
Best Times to Travel During Thanksgiving Week
Every year, traffic in Maine hits its peak during Thanksgiving week. The busiest days? Tuesday and especially Wednesday, with the Maine Turnpike turning into a slow crawl. If you’re stuck on the road Wednesday afternoon, you might notice your drive taking more than twice as long as usual.
If you’re hoping to dodge the worst of it, try to hit the road before 10 a.m. Wednesday or just wait until Thanksgiving morning. Roads stay quieter early on, but keep an eye out—weather can mess things up later in the day.
Return trips need some planning too. Black Friday morning usually brings out a crowd, but things calm down after early afternoon. On Saturday and Sunday, leaving before 1 p.m. will usually save you from sitting in backups. If you’re coming back Monday, go before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. when the commuter rush isn’t as bad.
| Day | Best Travel Time | Worst Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Early morning | Late afternoon |
| Wednesday | Before 10 a.m. | Afternoon, evening |
| Thanksgiving | Morning | Late day (storm risk) |
| Friday | After 1 p.m. | Morning |
| Weekend | Before 1 p.m. | Afternoon |
| Monday | Before 8 a.m., After 7 p.m. | Midday |
How Weather Affects Road and Air Travel
Late November in Maine is a toss-up—sometimes it rains near the coast, but the mountains can get heavy snow. Inland spots often pick up several inches, while freezing rain and sleet coat the foothills and valleys. Roads turn slick fast, and visibility can disappear before you know it.
When storms roll in, airports in Portland and Bangor start to back up. Snow and freezing rain mean de-icing delays or even canceled flights. Even if you take off, strong winds can make for a bumpy ride or slow down your arrival.
Freezing rain on the roads causes the biggest headaches. Unlike snow, it lays down a sneaky, clear layer of ice overnight. Drivers face slower speeds, longer stops, and sometimes closed rural roads.
Preparation Tips for Holiday Travelers
You can make your trip less stressful by getting ready for both traffic and weather. Keep your car packed with winter essentials like an ice scraper, blanket, flashlight, and extra washer fluid. Give your tires and brakes a quick check before you leave—icy patches are pretty common.
Think about backup routes just in case. If the Maine Turnpike or I-95 closes during a storm, you might need to take secondary highways. Always build in extra travel time, especially if freezing rain’s in the forecast.
If you’re flying, keep an eye on your flight status. Get to the airport early, since security lines stretch out during the holidays. Early-morning flights usually have a better shot at taking off before storms cause a domino effect of delays.
Stay tuned to local forecasts. Maine weather changes in a blink, so you could start your drive in rain and end up in snow after a few hours inland.
What to Pack and How to Prepare
Late November in Maine means cold days, freezing nights, and maybe even some early snow. You’ll want to prep for both fall and winter weather, since temperatures swing pretty fast depending on where you are.
Recommended Clothing for November in Maine
Daytime highs usually land in the 30s or low 40s °F, with nights dropping into the 20s °F. Pack warm, layered clothing so you can adjust as things change.
A solid base layer—think thermal tops and leggings—traps heat. Add a mid-layer like fleece or wool, then top it off with a waterproof, insulated jacket. This combo keeps you comfortable whether you’re wandering the coast or checking out inland spots.
Don’t forget jeans or lined pants, and grab a pair of waterproof boots with good grip for icy sidewalks. Wool socks work better than cotton since they stay warm even if they get damp.
Accessories really matter here. Bring a hat, gloves, and scarf—the wind can make it feel way colder. Planning to hike or spend time outside? Lightweight snow pants or gaiters will help you stay dry if things get slushy.
Essential Gear for Unpredictable Weather
Maine’s weather in late November can swing wildly between chilly sunshine, rain, and snow. You’ll want a compact umbrella and a packable rain jacket, especially along the coast where showers pop up pretty often.
If you’re driving, grab an ice scraper and a windshield brush. Roads freeze up overnight, so you might need to give yourself a little extra time in the morning.
Planning to hit the trails? Toss some microspikes or traction cleats in your bag, just in case things get icy. I’d also suggest carrying a small daypack with water, snacks, and an extra layer or two—it just makes longer outings a lot more comfortable.
Don’t forget the little things like lip balm, hand lotion, and reusable hand warmers. The air gets so dry and cold, it can be a pain if you’re not ready for it. Bringing along a flashlight or headlamp is smart too, since November days feel way too short up here.