A first winter in Maine isn’t hard if you prepare for it, and it’s expensive and stressful if you don’t. Most of the trouble comes from a short list of things: running low on heating fuel, driving on the wrong tires, a frozen pipe, and a power outage with no plan. This checklist is organized by when to do each thing, from October through March, so you can work down it as the season arrives.
It is written for people who have just moved here or are about to. If you are still deciding, start with our Moving to Maine guide and the pros and cons of moving to Maine. If you are only visiting in winter, see Maine in Winter instead.
The Short Version
- Find out how your house is heated and make sure there is fuel in it before the cold arrives.
- Put proper winter tires on your car and carry a winter kit.
- Know what to do when the power goes out, especially with a generator.
- Apply early for heating assistance if you may qualify. Do not wait until you are low on fuel.
- Learn how your town handles snow, plowing and parking before the first storm.
Before the First Snow: October and Early November
Learn how your home is heated
Heating is the largest winter expense for most Maine households, and homes here use a mix of systems: oil, propane, wood, pellets, electric heat pumps, and natural gas in a few areas. Ask your landlord, the seller or the previous owner exactly what you have, where the tank is, and who delivers. If you rent, find out which utilities and fuel you pay for before you sign.
- Oil or propane: check the tank gauge now. Ask about automatic delivery versus calling for fills, and ask neighbors which local dealer is reliable. Prices change, so compare dealers.
- Wood or pellets: wood needs to be seasoned, meaning dried for many months, so buy early and stack it off the ground. Have the chimney or flue inspected and cleaned before you use it.
- Heat pumps: these are common in Maine. Efficiency Maine, the state’s efficiency program, has offered rebates, but amounts and rules change, so check their site before you buy.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector and replace the batteries. This matters more in winter, when furnaces, stoves and generators all run. Carbon monoxide is odorless, so a working detector is the only warning.
Get your car ready
- Put on dedicated winter tires. All-season tires are a compromise on snow and ice. If you are considering studded tires, check the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the legal dates.
- Check the battery, wipers, washer fluid rated for cold, and antifreeze.
- Keep a winter kit in the car: a blanket, a shovel, an ice scraper and brush, a flashlight, jumper cables, a phone charger, water and some food.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full in winter.
Buy your snow gear
You need a good shovel, ice melt or sand, a roof rake if your roof builds up snow, and boots with real traction. Buy before the first storm, because stores sell out fast. Layers matter more than one heavy coat. Wool or synthetic base layers and a windproof outer layer cover most days.
Heating Assistance: Apply Early
Maine has programs to help eligible households pay for heat. The federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is administered in Maine through MaineHousing and local community action agencies. Eligibility depends on household income and size, and the details change each season.
- Check the MaineHousing website for this season’s application dates, income limits and the agency that serves your county.
- Apply as early as you can. Waiting until the tank is nearly empty leaves less room for delays.
- Ask your fuel dealer whether they accept assistance payments and how they handle partial deliveries.
- If you are moving here from another state, you will usually need to establish Maine residency first, so ask the agency how that works.
We are not able to confirm this season’s income limits or deadlines from here, so treat the MaineHousing page as the authority.
Winterize the House: November
- Pipes: find the main water shutoff and learn how to close it. Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces and exterior walls. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.
- Air leaks: seal gaps around windows and doors. Weatherstripping and caulk are cheap compared with the heat you lose.
- Gutters and roof: clear gutters before freezing. Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof and snow melts and refreezes at the edge, so attic insulation and ventilation matter.
- Driveway and walks: decide now who will plow or shovel. Local plow services fill up, so ask neighbors for a reference in the fall.
- Fireplace and wood stove: burn only seasoned wood and keep ashes in a metal container, outside and away from the house.
Prepare for a Power Outage
Outages happen in Maine winters, and rural areas can wait longer for restoration. Most of the state is served by Central Maine Power or Versant Power, and both let you report an outage and check status online or by phone. Save the number now.
- Keep flashlights, batteries, a battery phone charger, water and non-perishable food on hand.
- If you have a generator, run it outdoors only, well away from doors, windows and vents. Never run one in a garage or basement. Carbon monoxide from generators is a serious winter danger.
- If you rely on a well, your pump needs power, so keep some water stored.
- Know how to keep your house from freezing if heat is out for a long stretch, and where you could stay if needed.
Winter Driving and Parking
- Slow down and leave much more distance than you think you need. Bridges and shaded stretches ice first.
- Many cities and towns, including Portland, declare winter parking bans during storms so plows can clear the streets. Learn your town’s rules and how it announces them. A ticketed or towed car is an easy mistake for newcomers.
- Clear all the snow and ice off your car, including the roof, before you drive.
- Check road conditions before long trips, and carry the kit described above.
December Through March: Living With It
- Short days: December daylight is brief, and it gets dark in the afternoon. Plan indoor lighting and an outdoor routine that gets you outside in the daylight you do have.
- Keep checking the tank: in a cold snap, fuel use jumps. Reorder before you are low.
- Snow on the roof: know how much your roof can take and how to clear it safely, or hire someone.
- Ice safety: never assume lake or pond ice is safe. Local guidance and ice-fishing outfitters can tell you current conditions.
- Get out: Maine winters are easier when you join in. Skiing, snowshoeing, skating and winter festivals are why many people stay. See Maine in Winter for what is open.
After Winter: Mud Season
Spring thaw brings mud season, when dirt roads soften and some roads post weight limits. If you live on a dirt road, expect it, and expect your car to get dirty.
Budget for Winter
Winter changes your monthly costs, mainly heat, electricity and car expenses. Our cost of living by city guide shows how housing and everyday costs compare around the state, and the Maine housing market page covers prices if you are buying. Look at Maine relocation incentives for programs that may apply to newcomers.
Where You Live Matters
Winter in Portland is not winter in Aroostook County. Coastal southern Maine is milder and its roads are cleared quickly. Western mountains and northern Maine get more snow and colder temperatures, with longer stretches between services. If you are choosing a town, read the local relocation guides for Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Scarborough and Freeport.
First Winter in Maine: FAQ
When should I start preparing for winter in Maine?
Start in early October. Check your heating fuel, service the heating system, get your tires and snow gear, and apply for heating assistance if you may qualify. Waiting until the first storm means crowded stores and long waits for service.
Do I need winter tires in Maine?
They are not required, but many Maine drivers use them because they grip snow and ice much better than all-season tires. Check the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles if you are considering studded tires, since they are legal only during certain dates.
How do I get help paying for heat in Maine?
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible households with heating costs, and it is administered through MaineHousing and local community action agencies. Income limits and deadlines change each season, so check the MaineHousing website and apply early.
What should I do if the power goes out?
Report the outage to your utility, usually Central Maine Power or Versant Power, and keep flashlights, water and food on hand. If you use a generator, run it outdoors and far from the house to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Is a Maine winter harder in some parts of the state?
Yes. The southern coast is milder, while the western mountains and northern Maine get more snow and colder weather and have greater distances between services. Where you live changes how much you need to prepare.
This guide gives general information and is not a substitute for official sources. Check MaineHousing, Efficiency Maine, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and your utility for current rules, rebates and dates.