Acadia Weather: Forecast and Month-by-Month Averages
Live forecasts from the National Weather Service. Monthly averages are NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Check the NPS alerts page for road and trail closures.
In shortAcadia has a cool, wet coastal climate, ranging from sea level to 1,530 ft on Cadillac Mountain, the park's highest point. The table is NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the park's McFarland Hill station near Bar Harbor: July averages about 79°F/60°F, January about 32°F/15°F, and precipitation runs 3-6 inches every month. Fog is common in spring and early summer, and conditions on Cadillac Mountain and the other peaks can be very different from Bar Harbor.
Acadia forecast by area
Weather changes a lot with elevation here, so check the forecast for where you are actually going. Each forecast covers the National Weather Service grid square around that spot.
McFarland Hill / Hulls Cove area (park headquarters, near Bar Harbor) 470 ft
Matches the table: summer highs near 79°F, January highs near freezing, about 56 in of precipitation a year.
The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for McFarland Hill / Hulls Cove area (park headquarters, near Bar Harbor).
Ocean Drive / Sand Beach (Park Loop Road) 0 ft
Sea level; ocean breezes keep summer days cooler, and fog is common in spring and early summer.
The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Ocean Drive / Sand Beach (Park Loop Road).
Cadillac Mountain summit 1,530 ft
Exposed summit that is often windier and several degrees colder than Bar Harbor; the summit road closes in winter.
The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Cadillac Mountain summit.
Average weather in Acadia by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F | 15°F | 4.5 in |
| February | 35°F | 18°F | 3.8 in |
| March | 42°F | 25°F | 4.9 in |
| April | 53°F | 35°F | 5.2 in |
| May | 64°F | 45°F | 4.5 in |
| June | 74°F | 54°F | 4.3 in |
| July | 79°F | 60°F | 3.3 in |
| August | 78°F | 60°F | 3.5 in |
| September | 71°F | 53°F | 4.2 in |
| October | 58°F | 43°F | 5.9 in |
| November | 48°F | 33°F | 5.9 in |
| December | 38°F | 22°F | 5.7 in |
These are long-term averages at one station. Higher areas of the park are colder, and any single year can be much warmer, colder, wetter or drier.
Acadia weather month by month
Acadia in January
32°F / 15°F. Cold (32°F/15°F) with snow and ice. Most of the Park Loop Road is closed to cars (a short section from Sand Beach to Otter Cliff Road usually stays open), and closed sections are used for winter recreation.
Acadia in February
35°F / 18°F. Still deep winter (35°F/18°F). The Schoodic Loop Road is open year-round, and the carriage roads can be used for skiing or snowshoeing when there is snow.
Acadia in March
42°F / 25°F. Highs reach the low 40s and snow mixes with rain. Trails are icy and muddy, and most park roads stay closed to cars.
Acadia in April
53°F / 35°F. The Park Loop Road typically opens around April 15. Cadillac Summit Road can open later if ice remains, and nights still drop near freezing.
Acadia in May
64°F / 45°F. Mild days in the mid-60s and frequent fog along the coast. Blackwoods Campground and Hulls Cove Visitor Center usually open May 1, and Cadillac vehicle reservations usually begin around May 20.
Acadia in June
74°F / 54°F. Pleasant (74°F/54°F) but often foggy, especially near the shore. The ocean is still cold, around 50-60°F.
Acadia in July
79°F / 60°F. The warmest month (79°F/60°F) and one of the busiest. The weather can turn quickly from sunny to cold and rainy, and peaks are cooler and windier than town.
Acadia in August
78°F / 60°F. About 78°F/60°F and, with July, one of the two driest months (about 3.5 in). It is still busy; plan for Cadillac Mountain vehicle reservations and parking crowds.
Acadia in September
71°F / 53°F. Crisp days near 71°F and cool nights in the low 50s. Coastal storms or tropical remnants can bring heavy rain and surf some years.
Acadia in October
58°F / 43°F. Highs in the upper 50s and frost on clear nights; fall color usually peaks around mid-October. Seawall and Blackwoods close mid-month, and Cadillac vehicle reservations usually end in late October.
Acadia in November
48°F / 33°F. The wettest month (about 6.4 in) and quickly colder. Some gravel roads close in mid-November, and early snow or ice can close the Park Loop Road before December.
Acadia in December
38°F / 22°F. The Park Loop Road and Cadillac Summit Road typically close to cars December 1. Expect 38°F/22°F, short days, and the first lasting snow.
Weather hazards to plan for
- Thick coastal fog in spring and early summer that hides cliff edges and cuts visibility on Ocean Drive and the bays.
- Large waves and storm surf at Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and Schoodic Point, especially during offshore storms; people have been swept off the rocks.
- Fast weather changes on exposed peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, which are windier and colder than Bar Harbor; hypothermia is possible even in summer when it is wet.
- Cold water: the ocean stays around 50-60°F even in summer.
- Ice on trails, ladders, and iron-rung routes from late fall into spring.
Acadia weather questions
What is the weather like in Acadia National Park in October?
October averages about 58°F for highs and 43°F for lows near Bar Harbor, with about 5.9 inches of precipitation. Fall color usually peaks around mid-October, and frost is common on clear nights.
Does it snow in Acadia National Park?
Yes. Winters are cold, with January lows averaging about 15°F, and snow is common from December into March. Most of the Park Loop Road is closed to cars in winter.
How warm does Acadia get in summer?
Not very hot: July, the warmest month, averages about 79°F for highs and 60°F for lows. Nights are cool, and the ocean stays around 50-60°F.
Is Acadia foggy?
Fog is common in spring and early summer, especially along the shore. It often burns off inland or on the peaks while the coast stays socked in.
What is the best month for weather in Acadia?
July through September has the warmest and most reliable weather, and August is usually the driest month. Early to mid-October is cooler but brings fall color.