Calories Burned Shoveling Snow in Portland, ME
Calculate how many calories you burn doing shoveling snow in Portland, Maine. Adjusted for Portland's continental climate (avg 46°F). MET: 6. Climate adjustment: +3%.
Shoveling Snow Calorie Calculator for Portland
Shoveling Snow in Portland for 30 minutes
224 kcal
MET 6 · 73 kg · 449 kcal/hour
Includes +3% climate adjustment for Portland (46°F avg)
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Portland
Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%.
Portland, Maine has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F and 6 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing shoveling snow here, your body expends approximately +3% more energy than it would in standard lab conditions (68-72°F). This means a 160 lb person burns ~224 calories in 30 minutes instead of the standard ~218 calories.
Calorie Burn by Duration (Portland)
How many calories you burn during shoveling snow at different durations in Portland's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Portland Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 109 kcal | 112 kcal | +3 |
| 30 minutes | 218 kcal | 224 kcal | +6 |
| 45 minutes | 327 kcal | 336 kcal | +9 |
| 60 minutes | 435 kcal | 449 kcal | +14 |
| 90 minutes | 653 kcal | 673 kcal | +20 |
| 120 minutes | 871 kcal | 897 kcal | +26 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing shoveling snow for 30 minutes per session in Portland, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
2,910
calories per month
34,944 cal/year
= ~10.0 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
4,850
calories per month
58,240 cal/year
= ~16.6 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. Climate adjustment of +3% applied for Portland.
Portland Fitness Overview
Portland, Maine (pop. 68,408) has a fitness score of 61/100 with 5.3 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 60. Residents average 7,150 daily steps and burn approximately 1,950 calories per day. Popular activities include kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing.
Fitness Score
61/100
Walk Score
60
Obesity Rate
32.5%
Outdoor Months
6
Other Activities in Portland, ME
Wrestling
MET 6 · Very High
~224 cal / 30 min
Stair Climbing
MET 9 · High
~336 cal / 30 min
Walking the Dog
MET 3 · Low
~112 cal / 30 min
Cycling
MET 8 · Moderate
~299 cal / 30 min
Surfing
MET 6 · Moderate to High
~224 cal / 30 min
Archery
MET 3.5 · Low to Moderate
~131 cal / 30 min
Kettlebell Training
MET 9.8 · High
~366 cal / 30 min
Ice Fishing
MET 2 · Low
~75 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Shoveling Snow in Portland
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Portland:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 6 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.03
The MET value of 6 for shoveling snow is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.03 accounts for Portland's average temperature of 46°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
Snow shoveling is a vigorous physical activity that combines cardiovascular demand with heavy lifting. Each shovelful of snow involves bending, lifting, twisting, and throwing, engaging the entire body under significant load. Wet snow can weigh 15-20 pounds per shovelful, making it equivalent to weightlifting. The cold weather adds additional calorie expenditure as the body works to maintain core temperature. Caution is warranted: snow shoveling is associated with increased cardiac events due to the intense physical demand in cold conditions.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does shoveling snow burn in Portland, ME?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 224 calories during 30 minutes of shoveling snow in Portland. This accounts for Portland's continental climate with an average temperature of 46°F, which adjusts calorie burn by +3% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for shoveling snow is 6.
Does Portland's climate affect calories burned during shoveling snow?
Yes. Portland has a continental climate averaging 46°F. Cool weather causes mild thermogenesis as your body generates extra heat, increasing calorie burn by about 3%. This means shoveling snow in Portland burns approximately +3% more calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do shoveling snow in Portland?
Portland's moderate climate (avg 46°F) with 6 outdoor-friendly months makes shoveling snow comfortable most of the year. Morning exercise may boost metabolism for the rest of the day, while evening sessions can help with stress relief and sleep quality.
How many calories per month can I burn doing shoveling snow in Portland?
At your current weight, doing shoveling snow for 30 minutes in Portland: 3 sessions/week burns ~2,910 cal/month (34,944 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~4,850 cal/month (58,240 cal/year). These estimates include the +3% climate adjustment for Portland's 46°F average temperature.
Is shoveling snow popular in Portland, ME?
While shoveling snow may not be the most popular activity in Portland (popular activities include kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing), it is still widely practiced. The city offers 5.3 gyms per 100K residents and has a fitness score of 61/100. The continental climate with 6 outdoor months supports shoveling snow for much of the year.