Blizzard Watch: Heavy Snow Headed to NH

Gas up your  snow blowers, hook up your plows and prime your generators (just in case.) A winter wallop appears to be headed to the Northeast.

This weekend's projected snowstorm, which has been named Nemo (no we're not clownin'), is looking like we could experience blizzard-like conditions in Southern New Hampshire. Forecasters are predicting the possibility that this weekend's storm could be a historic one.

A Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service is warning the Merrimack area could receive anywhere from 12-24 inches of snow between Friday and Saturday.

According to the advisory, light snow is expected to form by Friday morning and continue falling through the day, with the heaviest snow and most accumulation expected Friday evening through Saturday morning.

"Heavy snow and gusty winds will bring the potential for near blizzard conditions," according to the advisory. "The worst of the storm will be Friday night into Saturday morning. Snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour possible. Travel may become nearly impossible with blowing and drifting snow."

The advisory also calls for sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph.

Stay with Merrimack Patch as more on this storm develops. Get up to the minute information during the storm by signing up for our breaking news alerts and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is encouraging state residents and visitors to take necessary precautions in advance of te storm.

“There is still uncertainty about the exact track of this storm, but it seems certain that New Hampshire will experience heavy snowfalls, especially in southern areas,” Perry E. Plummer, acting director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said in a press release. “We may also see high wind gusts that could cause scattered power outages.”

Plummer says road travel is likely to be the greatest hazard from this storm.

In advance of the storm, Plummer urged people to stock up on emergency supplies and take the following precautions:

• Monitor weather conditions via news media, NOAA weather radio or Internet sources.
• Limit road travel during the storm to allow public works crews to clear and treat the roads.
• Anyone who has to drive should slow down and allow extra space between vehicles. Drivers could experience sudden whiteout conditions during high wind gusts.
• Keep vehicle fuel tanks at least half full.
• Monitor snow loading, especially on flat roofs.
• Be a good neighbor and check on the well-being of relatives and acquaintances, especially the elderly or others with special needs.
• If the power goes out:
  • Use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns, not candles, for emergency lighting.
  • Operate emergency generators safely, with exhaust directed away from buildings.
  • Never use outdoor cooking appliances indoors because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Report the outage to your electric utility.
  • Stay clear of downed wires. Always assume downed power lines are live.

This potential blizzard is coming nearly 35 years to the day of the Blizzard of '78, which caught much of the Northeast unprepared. Share your memories of the storm and where you waited it out and upload photos to our Blizzard of '78 gallery.