6 To 12 Inches Of Snow Coming To New Hampshire: Snowstorm Update

GRAY, ME — The National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning on Sunday calling for up to a foot of snow or more in some parts of New Hampshire as well as up to 65 mph wind gusts on the Seacoast.

AccuWeather.com forecasters are saying for up to 18 inches of snow is possible in some parts of the state.

The storm’s effects will be felt in different ways, in different sections of the state: Central and southwestern New Hampshire, where most Patch sites exist, can expect a mix of snow and rain starting on Sunday night and running through Monday night or Tuesday morning.

“Heavy snow expected, ending as a period of mixed precipitation or rain in some areas,” the alert stated. “Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.”

NWS forecasters also warned that the snowstorm, at its height, will have rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour.

In Concord, Bedford, Amherst, Merrimack, and Milford, expect anywhere from 4 to 12 inches of snow, depending on where the storm tracks. Londonderry, Nashua, Salem, and Windham, as well as Exeter, Hampton, North Hampton, and Portsmouth, can expect anywhere from 1 to 6 inches of snow.

The higher snow totals are expected in the Lakes Region and White Mountains, according to forecasters, where between 8 to 24 inches of snow could fall.

On the Seacoast, lighter snow totals are expected but both coastal flooding and high wind warnings were issued on Sunday.

“Minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible,” the alerts stated. “Significant wave action may also result in moderate to locally significant beach erosion. Splash over may lead to ponding of water behind dune structures and result in some flooding of roads and vulnerable structures. Small rocks associated with splash-over may result in damage to passing vehicles or pedestrians.”

Some roads may close and properties in low-lying areas may be hit with more water than expected. Shoreline erosion may occur, too, forecasters said.

Southeast winds are expected to be between 25 to 35 mph but on the Seacoast, gusts could reach 55 to 65 mph.

“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” the alert stated. “Power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

The highest winds are expected to be during the morning and midday hours — and will taper off from there.

AccuWeather predicted on its map anywhere between 6 and 18 inches of snow from Keene, Concord, and the capital region, the Upper Valley, Lakes Region, and into the White Mountains.

The timeline for the storm is expected to run from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday in the central part of the state and later on the coast and in the northern part of the state.

Like Eversource did on Friday, on Sunday, Unitil issued an advisory warning its customers of possible power outages, based on forecaster predictions.

“Both the consistency of the snow as it falls and the peak coastal winds will be key factors in how much this particular storm impacts our system,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “The high winds do have the potential to create hazardous wires down situations. Should this occur, we will be working closely with first responders in the area to address public safety issues.”

Third-party crews have been secured, he added, to “bolster resources” during the storm. O’Meara also advised customers to have flashlights with fresh batteries, a battery-operated radio and clock, bottled water, canned foods, a manual can opener, a list of phone numbers, a car charger for cellphones, and a first aid kit handy. Residents should avoid downed wires and wet ground or puddles around downed lines, too, O’Meara said.

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 (Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Salem, and Windham). Local weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Thursdays. Alerts are published when needed.

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