NH Winter Storm Alert: Expected Snow Totals Rise

The first nor’easter of the season is expected to hit the Granite State tomorrow by midday and bring with it, up to a foot of snow for most of the state, with smaller snow totals along the coast and as much as 18 inches of snow in the central part of New Hampshire, including Concord and parts of Hillsborough County. The National Weather Service, which posted a weather alert yesterday, has updated its alerts with a new warning, including a timeline and snow total information.

According to the alert, posted at just before 4 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2016, the storm is expected to hit the state at around 10 a.m. on Thursday in some parts and run through Friday morning. The snow will be hazardous and heavy at times with as much as 24 inches falling in some places in northern New Hampshire.

“Snow will begin around midday Thursday and become heavy at times Thursday evening into the early morning hours Friday morning,” according to the alert. “Snow should come to an end early Friday morning.”

Roads are expected to become “treacherous,” with a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour, which will make it difficult to keep the roads cleared, according to the alert. AccuWeather.com is also warning of strong winds and difficult travel conditions during the storm.

“Heavy wet snow will weigh down tree branches and could lead to scattered power outages,” the alert noted.

Thundersnow conditions may also be possible, according to forecasters.

Snow totals range from up to 3 inches on the coast and inland Rockingham County (Portsmouth, Hampton, North Hampton, and Exeter), 4 to 6 inches for Windham, Salem, Nashua, and Londonderry, and 12 to 18 inches for Hillsborough and Merrimack County, including Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Merrimack, and Milford.

The NWS also issued a wind alert running from midnight on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Friday. Winds around the state are expected to be from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.

“The strongest winds are expected shortly after midnight Thursday night with winds decreasing by Friday morning,” according to the alert. “Strong winds may bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages.”

The latest weather conditions can be found on the front page of every Patch.com site in the United States including the 12 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites. Local, four-day weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Thursdays; alerts are posted when needed.