Snow, Flood, Wind Hazardous Weather Warnings Issued For New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — The National Weather Service and utility companies warn Granite Staters to prepare for significant weather issues during the 24 to 36 hours.

The NWS Tuesday issued “hazardous weather outlook,” flood watch, wind advisory, and winter weather advisory alerts. The alerts run from 5 p.m. on Tuesday to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Snow and rain are expected across New Hampshire beginning at about 5 p.m. with accumulations between 3 to 6 inches, a first, and higher amounts, 6 to 12 inches, possibly from the Lakes Region north.

Winds are expected to be 20 to 25 mph but could reach 45 mph.

“(The) snow will combine with low visibility to create dangerous driving conditions,” the outlook alert stated.

The snow will then turn to rain as warmer temperatures move into the state. The Wednesday morning commute is expected to be especially messy.

“The wet nature of the snow will cause weighted tree limbs of conifers and may cause snapped branches, especially when combined with strong winds,” the alert stated. “Snow will change over to rain, with a period of sleet and/or freezing rain at transition, which will cause slushy roads and further degrade driving conditions. Plan on delaying travel to allow time for road conditions to improve.”

The winter weather advisory concerning snow and rain runs through 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Winds are then expected to pick up with gusts as high as 55 mph with highs in the upper 40s. The wind advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The higher temperatures will lead to localized flash flooding in small streams and poor drainage areas, especially in the state’s cities.

“The deeper snowpack from the foothills northward is expected to hold,” a flood watch alert stated,” reducing the flood risk in those areas.”

The flood watch is in effect until 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

When the storm moves out of the area, temps are expected to drop to the lower 20s overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.

Sunny skies return on Thursday.

Unitil opened its system emergency operations center on Tuesday in preparation for the storm.

The company said it had secured additional crews in advance of the storm.

“When we saw we were entering a period of unsettled weather this coming week, we recognized the potential compounding effect these successive storms could have on the system,” Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara said. “The existing snow, combined with warmer temperatures, heavy rain, and high wind gusts, all have the potential to contribute to very hazardous conditions throughout the day Wednesday.”

O’Meara said customers should check their flashlights and acquire fresh batteries, prepare portable charges for mobile devices, inventory bottled water, canned foods, and a manual can opener, charge electric vehicles fully, and have a first aid kit handy. He added customers should avoid dangling cables and wires, avoid puddles and wet ground, and stay safe when trees and branches are knocked down.

The latest weather conditions can be found on the front page of every Patch.com site in the United States, including the 14 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites covering Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Salem, Windham, and Across NH. Local weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Thursdays. Alerts are published when needed.

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