Lake Arrowhead has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 11°, and about 81 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Lake Arrowhead at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Lake Arrowhead’s climate
Read from where Lake Arrowhead sits among Maine’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 136 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 14 and the first by September 30.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
81 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 138 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Lake Arrowhead’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
136 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 14 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 30.
About 81" a winter over 19 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 109 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 7 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 1.0 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →What a year in Lake Arrowhead feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Lake Arrowhead and its neighbors
Limerick has the coldest January nights next door (10°) and Limington the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Lake Arrowhead averaged 1.6° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.3°).
A bigger shift than in 77% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Lake Arrowhead compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Maine.
Lake Arrowhead weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 11° | 3.5" | 19.8" | 12 | 29 | 11° – 29° |
| February | 34° | 12° | 3.3" | 20.4" | 10 | 28 | 9° – 30° |
| March | 42° | 22° | 4.2" | 15.4" | 11 | 24 | 24° – 40° |
| April | 55° | 32° | 4.4" | 3.7" | 12 | 6 | 40° – 48° |
| May | 67° | 42° | 3.8" | 0.1" | 14 | 0 | 50° – 60° |
| June | 76° | 52° | 4.4" | 0 | 14 | 0 | 61° – 67° |
| July | 81° | 58° | 3.9" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| August | 80° | 56° | 3.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 65° – 71° |
| September | 71° | 48° | 3.9" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 56° – 63° |
| October | 59° | 37° | 5.4" | 0.4" | 12 | 0 | 44° – 55° |
| November | 47° | 28° | 4.4" | 3.4" | 12 | 3 | 32° – 42° |
| December | 36° | 18° | 4.5" | 17.7" | 12 | 19 | 21° – 35° |
| Year | 57° | 35° | 49.4" | 80.9" | 138 | 109 |
Heating and cooling a home in Lake Arrowhead
96% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 9° to 30°. August is the most reliable, staying within 5°.
Common questions about Lake Arrowhead’s climate
What is the coldest month in Lake Arrowhead?
January, with a typical high of 31° and a low of 11°.
What is the hottest month in Lake Arrowhead?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 58°. About 7 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Lake Arrowhead get?
About 81 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Lake Arrowhead?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 30, and the last spring frost by May 14.
What is the rainiest month in Lake Arrowhead?
October, with 5.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 49 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Lake Arrowhead.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Lake Arrowhead itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Hollis, ME (3 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.