The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for New Hampshire’s coastline as a strengthening storm system moves up the East Coast, according to meteorologists at WMUR’s StormWatch 9.
The blizzard warning takes effect later tonight, with the most severe conditions expected overnight and tomorrow morning. Coastal areas could experience visibility reduced to less than an eighth of a mile at times due to the combination of heavy snow and strong winds, according to the forecast.
The storm system is expected to develop into a full nor’easter as it strengthens while moving northward. An area of low pressure will develop off the Virginia coast and lift northeastward, passing closest to New Hampshire around midday tomorrow, according to meteorologists.
For inland sections of central and southern New Hampshire, a winter storm warning will also take effect later tonight. These areas can expect several inches of snow with wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour, according to the forecast.
The storm’s impact will vary significantly across the state. Southern New Hampshire and coastal areas are forecast to receive widespread accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, according to meteorologists. However, snow amounts will decrease sharply in the northern half of the state, where the storm system is expected to stop advancing northward.
Wind conditions will become a major factor overnight and into tomorrow. Peak wind speeds are forecast from mid-morning through 2 or 3 p.m. tomorrow, with coastal areas potentially experiencing gusts approaching 45 mph, according to meteorologist Matt Hoenig. Interior southern New Hampshire towns will also see blustery conditions, while areas north and west of Lake Winnipesaukee are not expected to experience significant wind impacts.
The combination of snow and strong winds raises concerns about scattered power outages, particularly near the coastline, according to forecasters. Blowing snow is expected to create very limited visibility throughout the day tomorrow, making travel extremely difficult.
Travel conditions remain favorable through tonight, as accumulating snow is not expected to begin in southern areas of the state until after 9 or 10 p.m. Any flurries observed during the day today are unrelated to the approaching storm system, which has yet to strengthen, according to meteorologists.
The highest travel impacts are forecast for tomorrow’s daylight hours, beginning with slower conditions in the morning. As winds increase, visibility will continue to deteriorate into the afternoon, especially along the coastline, according to the forecast.
Coastal residents should also prepare for two high tide cycles tomorrow that meteorologists say will require monitoring as the storm intensifies.
The storm is expected to clear the area by late Monday night into early Tuesday, with the back edge of the system sliding across most of the state during tomorrow afternoon. Coastal areas may experience lingering effects before the system finally moves out and skies clear, according to forecasters.
The sharp cutoff in snow accumulation expected in northern New Hampshire demonstrates the storm’s concentrated impact on the southern portion of the state and coastline. Areas farther north will see significantly less snow as the system’s northern reach becomes limited.
Residents in affected areas should prepare for potentially dangerous travel conditions, possible power outages, and limited visibility lasting through tomorrow afternoon. The combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding concerns makes this a particularly hazardous weather event for southern New Hampshire.
