South Paris has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 9°, and about 76 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in South Paris at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about South Paris’s climate
Read from where South Paris sits among Maine’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in South Paris averaged 1.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.9°).
A bigger shift than in 89% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 147 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 6 and the first by October 2.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in South Paris feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
76 inches of snow, 47 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 117 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with South Paris’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
147 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 6 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 2.
About 76" a winter over 25 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 97% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 3 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 80°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 2.8 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 →South Paris and its neighbors
Norway has the coldest January nights next door (8°) and Norway the hottest July afternoons (79°). 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.
How South Paris compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Maine.
South Paris 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 | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 9° | 3.2" | 19.5" | 9 | 7° – 26° |
| February | 32° | 10° | 2.9" | 16.3" | 8 | 9° – 28° |
| March | 41° | 20° | 3.6" | 19.2" | 10 | 22° – 38° |
| April | 54° | 31° | 4.1" | 4.2" | 9 | 40° – 48° |
| May | 66° | 42° | 3.7" | 0.2" | 10 | 49° – 60° |
| June | 75° | 52° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 60° – 67° |
| July | 80° | 57° | 4.0" | 0 | 11 | 63° – 72° |
| August | 79° | 56° | 3.9" | 0 | 9 | 64° – 70° |
| September | 71° | 48° | 3.6" | 0 | 10 | 55° – 64° |
| October | 58° | 37° | 5.2" | 0.2" | 9 | 43° – 55° |
| November | 45° | 28° | 4.1" | 3.5" | 11 | 31° – 41° |
| December | 34° | 17° | 4.1" | 13.0" | 10 | 20° – 34° |
| Year | 55° | 34° | 46.8" | 76.1" | 117 |
Heating and cooling a home in South Paris
97% 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 28°. August is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about South Paris’s climate
What is the coldest month in South Paris?
January, with a typical high of 28° and a low of 9°.
What is the hottest month in South Paris?
July, with a typical high of 80° and a low of 57°. About 3 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does South Paris get?
About 76 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in South Paris?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 2, and the last spring frost by May 6.
What is the rainiest month in South Paris?
October, with 5.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 47 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in South Paris.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for South Paris itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at West Paris, ME (9 mi, snow) and Bethel 6 Sse, ME (14 mi, frost, heat and degree days). 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.