The short answer
In Maine, the calculator treats your area as heavy-snow (Portland (Jetport) averages 68.7 inches a year), so closure odds reach about 50% at 10 inches of overnight snow — less with ice, extreme cold or snow falling between midnight and 6 a.m. It is an estimate, not an announcement from your district.
The calculator above is preset for Maine. Portland (Jetport) averages 68.7 inches of snow a year (1991–2020 normals), which puts Maine in our heavy-snow group. For a public school in an average suburban district, the model needs about 10 inches of overnight snow before the chance of a closure reaches 50%. Enter your ZIP code to load the National Weather Service forecast, or change the snow tolerance if your town gets much more or less snow than Portland (Jetport).
Maine snow day facts at a glance
| Item | Maine |
|---|---|
| Snow tolerance in the calculator | Heavy (50% point: 10 in overnight) |
| Average yearly snowfall, Portland (Jetport) | 68.7 in |
| Remote learning days for weather | No rule found in statute |
| Remote-day limit | — |
| Minimum school year (days) | 180 |
| Minimum instructional hours | Not specified |
| Cold point used by the model | -30°F wind chill |
How much snow closes school in Maine? (model estimate)
Computed with the calculator’s formula for a heavy-snow area: public school, average district, no ice, no extreme cold, no timing boost.
| Overnight snow | Chance closed | Chance of a delay |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 2% | 17% |
| 4 in | 5% | 32% |
| 6 in | 16% | 50% |
| 8 in | 33% | 48% |
| 10 in | 50% | 39% |
| 12 in | 64% | 28% |
| 18 in | 87% | 11% |
Ice changes the picture quickly: in the model, 0.1 inch of freezing rain alone gives about 23% closure odds here, and 0.25 inch about 82%. A morning wind chill of -30°F gives 50% from cold alone. Heavy snow between midnight and 6 a.m. counts 25% more, because it is still falling when districts decide around 4–6 a.m.
Reported thresholds and cold-day policies in Maine
We did not find a published district snow or cold threshold for Maine that we could source, so the calculator uses the heavy-snow defaults: about 10 inches of overnight snow, 0.15 inch of ice or a -30°F wind chill for even odds. Use the district style setting if your district is known for closing early or staying open.
Remote learning days in Maine
20-A MRSA 4801 does not mention remote days. Make-up allowed via one-hour day extensions (up to 25/year, 5 extensions = 1 day) or other commissioner-approved plans. Maine DOE remote-day guidance not reviewed. (statute) Because we could not confirm that remote days can replace weather closures in Maine, the calculator does not estimate a remote-day chance.
Minimum school year in Maine
The Education Commission of the States’ 2023 comparison lists these minimums for Maine (they may not reflect later legislation):
- Days: 180
- Instructional hours: Not specified
Days lost to closures count against that minimum, which is why districts that use up their snow days typically add make-up days at the end of the year — and why remote-day rules matter.
Where to check official closures
Only your district can close school. Check its website, app or text and email alerts first. We don’t list district links for Maine because we haven’t verified them; this page and its calculator are an estimate, not an announcement.
Frequently asked questions
How much snow does it take to close school in Maine?
Can Maine schools use remote learning instead of a snow day?
How many school days are required in Maine?
Sources & method
- Snowfall normal for Portland (Jetport): climate table (1991–2020 normals, NOAA-sourced).
- Remote-day rule for Maine: official statute or regulation text.
- Instructional time: ECS 50-State Comparison, Instructional Time Policies (2023).
- Make-up days: Stacker via KVIA (2024).
- Model: our own estimate; method on the main snow day calculator page.
Data checked October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us via the about page.
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