Maine Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year3–12+ (varies widely by region)
Snow SeasonNovember through April

Maine's vast geography and sparse population create unique snow day challenges found in few other states. The northern interior often sees much higher snowfall than the coast. With long bus routes through remote terrain and districts that can span large areas, Maine's snow day decisions often hinge on rural road conditions rather than raw accumulation totals.

Active Closures & Delays

Sources update throughout the morning. Always confirm with your school district for the latest information.

No closures or delays reported in Maine today.

Maine Recent Snow Days

Date Closings Delays Other Most Active County
Mar 23, 2026 5 Waldo
Mar 20, 2026 1 Somerset
Mar 17, 2026 1 Hancock
Mar 12, 2026 11 7 Aroostook
Mar 11, 2026 7 12 Aroostook
Mar 4, 2026 1 Washington
Feb 25, 2026 9 2 Washington
Feb 24, 2026 9 Washington
Feb 23, 2026 62 16 Penobscot

Closing data is gathered from public sources and may not reflect every district. Always confirm with your school for official status.

Snow Zones in Maine

Aroostook County & Northern Maine 90–115"/yr

Among the snowiest parts of New England. Caribou averages around 110 inches per year. Extreme cold can contribute to disruptions, and long rural bus routes make road safety the primary driver of closures.

Western Mountains & Rangeley Lakes 75–110"/yr

The mountainous interior near the New Hampshire border sees heavy snowfall driven by elevation. Small districts can close frequently due to steep roads and limited alternate routes.

Central Maine & Kennebec Valley 60–80"/yr

Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, and the central corridor. Nor'easters and smaller systems both contribute. Freezing rain events can be particularly disruptive in shoulder seasons.

Southern Coast & York County 55–70"/yr

Portland and the southern coast. Maritime influence can shift storms toward rain or mixed precipitation, but major nor'easters still produce significant snow and wind impacts.

Major School Districts in Maine

Portland Public Schools
Cumberland County · 7,000 students
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Lewiston Public Schools
Androscoggin County · 5,000 students
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Bangor School Department
Penobscot County · 4,000 students
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Sanford School Department
York County · 3,000 students
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RSU 22 (Hampden-Newburgh-Winterport-Frankfort)
Penobscot County · 3,000 students
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Augusta Public Schools
Kennebec County · 2,000 students
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Notable Winter Storms

Blizzard of 1978 18–30"
Feb 6–7, 1978

A major storm impacted southern and central Maine with heavy snow and extreme winds. Prolonged travel disruption and closures followed.

Ice Storm of 1998 Ice (severe accretion in places)
Jan 5–9, 1998

One of the most devastating winter weather events in Maine history. Extended freezing rain caused widespread power outages. School disruptions and closures were prolonged in many communities due to power loss and hazardous conditions.

Blizzard of 2015 (Winter Storm Juno) 20–32"
Jan 26–28, 2015

A powerful nor'easter impacted coastal and central Maine, with heavier totals in some inland areas. It contributed to a very active winter pattern with repeated storms.

Patriots' Day Storm 8–20"
Apr 15–16, 2007

A rare mid-April storm brought heavy, wet snow across parts of Maine, causing tree damage and power outages. Closures were driven as much by power and safety concerns as by snowfall.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does Maine get per year?

It varies widely by region and winter severity. Northern and mountainous areas tend to see more closures than the southern coast, and ice storms can add unexpected disruptions anywhere.

Will school be closed tomorrow in Maine?

It depends on the forecast, storm timing, and local road conditions. Enter your ZIP code above to see the latest closure and delay probabilities for your area. Predictions update automatically as National Weather Service forecasts change.

What triggers a snow day in Maine?

Forecast confidence, expected accumulation, and road safety drive decisions. Rural districts with long bus routes often close earlier for safety. Ice storms and power outages can drive extended closures.

Does Maine use virtual snow days?

Some districts use remote learning days, but adoption varies and can be limited by broadband access in some areas.

Which part of Maine gets the most snow?

Northern Maine, especially Aroostook County, generally sees the highest seasonal snowfall. The western mountains also see high totals due to elevation.

Snow Day Forecasts by State

Check snow day probabilities for your area. We track school closures, weather alerts, snowfall reports, and 7-day forecasts for all 50 states — from lake-effect blizzards in the Midwest to rare southern snow events.

Great Lakes & Midwest

Lake-effect snow drives some of the highest school closure rates in the country. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin regularly see multi-day storms, while Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois face both lake-effect bands and arctic cold fronts. The region averages more snow days per year than nearly anywhere else in the U.S.

Northeast & New England

Nor'easters and coastal storms make the Northeast a snow day hotspot. From Buffalo's lake-effect events to Boston's blizzards and Vermont's mountain snowfall, winter weather closures are a regular part of the school year. Major metros like New York City and Philadelphia see widespread closures when storms hit during commute hours.

Northern Plains & Rockies

Blizzards, high-altitude snowfall, and extreme cold define winter across this region. Mountain passes in Colorado, Utah, and Montana can receive over 200 inches annually, while plains states face wind-driven whiteouts that close schools even with modest accumulations. Wind chill regularly triggers closures across the Dakotas and Nebraska.

Appalachia & Mid-Atlantic

Moderate snowfall totals here mask outsized disruption. With lower preparedness and fewer plows, a 3-inch storm in Virginia or North Carolina can close as many schools as a 10-inch storm in the Northeast. Ice storms are especially dangerous across the Appalachian range, often causing multi-day closures.

South & Gulf States

Snow is rare across the Deep South and Gulf Coast, but when it arrives, it's a regional event. Minimal winter infrastructure means even a dusting can trigger widespread school closures. Ice storms pose the biggest winter threat, and states like Texas and Georgia can see citywide shutdowns from storms that would barely register further north.

West Coast & Pacific

Winter weather varies enormously across the West. Alaska sees months of snow and extreme cold, while Pacific Northwest cities face occasional ice storms and wet snow. Mountain areas from the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada measure snowfall in feet. Desert Southwest states rarely see snow at lower elevations.