Winter Weather Advisory Issued for New Hampshire

The Weather Channel is calling it Winter Storm Athena.

Whatever the name, what's clear is that the northeast United States, which was hit by the last major storm of the hurricane season, is now poised to be thrashed by the first major storm of the winter weather season.

Today, Bedford Police issued a Nixle alert warning Bedford of a winter weather advisory now in effect for Hillsbourgh County and surrounding areas.

The advisory states, in part:

Dry weather is expected for most of today. Snow should develop across the far southern areas by 5-6 pm and should overspread the Lakes Region and points north after 8-11 pm. Snow should mix with and change to rain for the Seacoast after midnight. Snow should continue elsewhere through the night. Snow should change to rain by 8am Thursday across the Merrimack Valley. It will take until early in the afternoon for snow to change to rain across the Monadnock Region, along with areas north of the Lakes Region. The period of steady precipitation should be tonight, which is when a large amount of the accumulating snow will occur. Snow accumulations of 2-4 inches will be possible across the Monadnock Region, along with the Lakes Region and points north. Snow accumulations of 1-2 inches will be possible across the Merrimack Valley Region. Expect a half inch or less of accumulation along the Seacoast. Any precipitation should be light on Thursday. All rain should end by sunset Thursday. Dry weather should take over on Thursday night.

Winds will increase during the day. Peak winds should be later this afternoon through this evening. Winds along the Seacoast should be sustained at 20-35 mph, with gusts of 35-45 mph. A few peak gusts to 50 mph can't be ruled out. Elsewhere, expect sustained winds at 20-30 mph, with gusts of 30-40 mph. Peak gusts of 40-45 mph could occur, especially across higher terrain. Winds gusts should settle down to 25-35 mph by sunrise Thursday. Winds could gust to 25-35 mph through the day Thursday. The winds should settle down Thursday night.