January weather forecast
Portland, ME

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Dusk view of the lit skyscrapers of the Portland city in Maine
Dusk view of the lit skyscrapers of the Portland city in Maine

Weather in January

Delving into the start of a new year, Portland, Maine experiences the coldest temperatures within the entire calendar year. Notably, the city expects to see from 20.7°F (-6.3°C) to 31.1°F (-0.5°C). The weather usually showcases blankets of snow decorating the surroundings. Clear skies can be rare as the cloud coverage increases during this month. Despite all this, the chilly winter breezes brushing across the city can't interrupt the joy of winter festivals hosted in Portland.

Temperature

January stands out as Portland's coldest month, with temperatures ranging between an average high of 31.1°F (-0.5°C) and a low of 20.7°F (-6.3°C).

Humidity

In January, the average relative humidity in Portland is 79%.

Rainfall

In January, the rain falls for 5.7 days. Throughout January, 1.34" (34mm) of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, in Portland, there are 127 rainfall days, and 21.93" (557mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

January through April, October through December are months with snowfall. In January, it is snowing for 7.9 days. Throughout January, 2.8" (71mm) of snow is accumulated. Throughout the year, in Portland, there are 29.7 snowfall days, and 11.73" (298mm) of snow is accumulated.

Ocean temperature

In Portland, in January, the average water temperature is 41.4°F (5.2°C).
Note: It is advised against swimming in 41.4°F (5.2°C) when it drops below 50°F (10°C). Such temperatures can cause extreme cold shock, leading to hyperventilation.

Daylight

In January, the average length of the day in Portland is 9h and 23min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:14 am and sunset at 4:14 pm. On the last day of January, in Portland, Maine, sunrise is at 6:58 am and sunset at 4:50 pm EST.

Sunshine

In Portland, the average sunshine in January is 5.2h.

UV index

January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2, are months with the lowest UV index. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal health vulnerability from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for the ordinary person.
Note: In January, the maximum UV index of 2 suggests these recommendations:
Children, infants, and individuals with sensitive skin should be constantly protected from extended sun exposure. Considering the strength of solar radiation at midday, one should avoid direct Sun exposure. Select sunglasses that boast both UVA and UVB protection to limit the adverse effects of the sun on the eyes. Be cautious! The UV radiation from the Sun can be magnified almost twofold by snow reflection.
Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

What is the coldest time of year in Portland?

Portland's January weather, marked by an average high temperature of 31.1°F (-0.5°C) and an average low temperature of 20.7°F (-6.3°C), is the coldest in the year.

How cold is it in Portland in January?

In Portland, 31.1°F (-0.5°C) is the average high-temperature and 20.7°F (-6.3°C) is the average low-temperature during January.

What is the average humidity in January in Portland?

The average relative humidity in January in Portland is 79%.

How much does it rain in Portland in January?

In Portland, Maine, during January, the rain falls for 5.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.34" (34mm) of precipitation.

How much does it snow in Portland in January?

In Portland, in January, during 7.9 snowfall days, 2.8" (71mm) of snow is typically accumulated.

What is the ocean temperature in January in Portland?

In Portland, in January, the average water temperature is 41.4°F (5.2°C). Swimming in 41.4°F (5.2°C) is considered life-threatening. Even a few minutes in 55.4°F (13°C) water is uncomfortable, and swimming below 50°F (10°C) may cause total loss of breathing control and cold shock, depending on a person's physique.

How many hours of daylight does Portland have in January?

In Portland, the average day length in January is 9h and 23min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in January in Portland?

In January, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:14 am and sunset at 4:14 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 6:58 am and sunset at 4:50 pm EST.

How long on average sun shines in January in Portland?

The average sunshine duration in January is 5.2h.

When is the lowest UV index in Portland?

The months with the lowest UV index in Portland, Maine, are January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2.

What is the UV index intensity in January in Portland?

The average daily maximum UV index in January in Portland, Maine, is 2. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a low health threat from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Portland, ME

Average temperature in January - Portland, ME
  • Average high temperature in January: 31.1°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (72.5°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (31.1°F).

  • Average low temperature in January: 20.7°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (62.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (20.7°F).

Average pressure in January
Portland, ME

Average pressure in January - Portland, ME
  • Average pressure in January: 29.98"Hg

The months with the highest atmospheric pressure are September and November (30.05"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.91"Hg).

Average wind speed in January
Portland, ME

Average wind speed in January - Portland, ME
  • Average wind speed in January: 12.5mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (12.5mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (7.5mph).

Average humidity in January
Portland, ME

Average humidity in January - Portland, ME
  • Average humidity in January: 79%

The months with the highest relative humidity are June and July (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is November (74%).

Average rainfall in January
Portland, ME

Average rainfall in January - Portland, ME
  • Average rainfall in January: 1.34"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is October (2.36").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is September (1.18").

Average rainfall days in January
Portland, ME

Average rainfall days in January - Portland, ME
  • Average rainfall days in January: 5.7 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (14.7 days).
The month with the least rainy days is January (5.7 days).

Average snowfall in January
Portland, ME

Average snowfall in January - Portland, ME
  • Average snowfall in January: 2.8"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (2.91").
The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0").

Average snowfall days in January
Portland, ME

Average snowfall days in January - Portland, ME
  • Average snowfall days in January: 7.9 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (7.9 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are May, June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average sea temperature in January
Portland, ME

Average sea temperature in January - Portland, ME
  • Average sea temperature in January: 41.3°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (63.7°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is March (38°F).

Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Portland, ME

Average daylight in January / Average sunshine in January - Portland, ME
  • Average daylight in January: 9h and 2min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 0min).

  • Average sunshine in January: 5h and 1min

The month with the most sunshine is August (Average sunshine: 10h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 4h and 48min).

Average sunshine days in January
Portland, ME

Average sunshine days in January - Portland, ME
  • Average sunshine days in January: 18.8 days

The month with the most sunshine days is November (19 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is July (13.8 days).

Average UV index in January
Portland, ME

Average UV index in January - Portland, ME
  • Average UV index in January: 2

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 5).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in January
Portland, ME

Average cloud cover in January - Portland, ME
  • Average cloud cover in January: 45

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 49).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 29).

Average visibility in January
Portland, ME

Average visibility in January - Portland, ME
  • Average visibility in January: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

Portland, Maine, USA

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