Brace yourself, folks, because a powerful nor'easter is about to unleash its fury on New Hampshire! This storm is shaping up to be a doozy, with heavy snow, strong winds, and potential coastal flooding. But here's the kicker: the worst of it will hit southern New England, while New Hampshire might just get a taste of blizzard conditions.
Let's dive into the details. The storm is expected to roll in overnight and continue through Monday, with a blizzard warning issued for coastal and interior Rockingham County and Hillsborough County from 4 a.m. Monday until the early evening. That means communities like Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Portsmouth, Rye, and Hampton could be in for a wild ride. Winter storm warnings have also been posted for much of interior southern New Hampshire.
Now, here's where it gets controversial: while the storm's impact will be most severe in southern New England, some coastal New Hampshire towns might experience blizzard-like conditions. The combination of heavy snow and wind gusts over 40 mph will reduce visibility, especially during Monday morning's commute. So, if you're in these areas, it's time to batten down the hatches and prepare for a challenging day ahead.
And this is the part most people miss: the storm's timeline. The snow is expected to advance towards Laconia and then taper off to the north, with occasional snow showers further north. But the bulk of the snow will be confined to areas south of the lakes region. In general, we're looking at 8 to 12 inches of snowfall from the coast back towards the Queen City, with lesser amounts as you travel north. So, if you're in the upper valley, expect light and sporadic snowfall, starting wet and then turning drier and fluffier as temperatures drop.
Speaking of falling, the strong winds are a major factor here. Meteorologist Jacqueline Thomas sheds some light on the wind component of this nor'easter. She explains that the wind direction will be coming from the northeast, shifting to the north and then northwest as the system moves away. Wind speeds are expected to pick up over the next couple of hours, with gusts reaching 20 to 30 mph in some southern areas of the state. By Monday morning, these winds will really ramp up as the system tracks just south of New England, with gusts possibly reaching 30 to 40 mph, especially in the lakes region and towards the coast. The strongest winds will be in the southern and eastern regions, tapering off as the system moves out on Monday evening and night.
In addition to the wind, coastal concerns include the potential for minor coastal flooding during the high tide cycles. This is due to the combination of gusty winds and large waves, with the possibility of 10 to 15-foot waves just offshore. So, while the tide itself might not be the main issue, the wind-driven waves could lead to some minor flooding. It's best to stay away from the coastline during this time, as visibility will be nearly zero with the heavy snowfall.
But don't worry, there's a silver lining! Next weekend, we're looking at temperatures reaching 40 degrees or higher, which is great news after this winter storm. So, let's fast-forward to that and focus on the brighter days ahead.
Remember, stay tuned for live updates on power outages across New Hampshire as this powerful winter weather system moves through the region. Bookmark this link and stay safe, everyone!
