Greetings, dear readers! Can you fathom that it’s been nearly 300 days since the city of Portland last experienced a delightful dusting of snow? It’s true, a grand total of 295 days have passed without even a single inch of the fluffy white stuff gracing the Portland Jetport. To put it in perspective, this ties with 2010 for the fourth-latest measurable snowfall of 1″ since records began in 1940.

But hold on, there’s more to this story! The last time the Jetport was adorned with snow was on March 15, 2023. Now, that’s a substantial amount of time to forgo the enchanting charm of a winter wonderland, wouldn’t you agree?

Now, let’s talk about December – a particularly soggy month, with an impressive 6.67 inches of rain, making it the second-wettest on record. As a matter of fact, 2023 shaped up to be the 11th wettest year since 1941, with a total of 56.67 inches of rain. However, when it comes to snow, Portland seems to have fallen well short of expectations. Typically, the Jetport sees around 14.6 inches of snow in December, but last month, only a measly half an inch was recorded. What a disappointment, isn’t it?

But fear not, my fellow citizens, for there may be hope on the horizon in the new year. On average, January brings with it 18.6 inches of snow, accompanied by almost an additional hour of daylight for us rugged Mainers. Nevertheless, while precipitation is anticipated to be above normal this month, temperatures are predicted to lean towards the warmer side.

And now for the thrilling part – this upcoming weekend, those residing in southern Maine might be in for a delightful surprise! We’re talking up to 6 inches of snow expected to gracefully descend specifically on Sunday. If everything proceeds according to plan, this will extend our snowless streak to 298 days, vaulting 2024 into the esteemed position of the third-latest measurable snowfall of 1 inch on record.

Hence, keep your eyes peeled for updates on the anticipated snow totals by the week’s end. Who knows, perhaps we shall finally have the pleasure of indulging in the beauty of a winter wonderland after all!