Christmas Day Weather Warnings Issued For New Hampshire

GRAY, ME — Due to a snowstorm that dropped more than 40 inches of snow in some parts of New Hampshire, it will be a white Christmas in 2020. But it will also be a rainy one.

The National Weather Service issued two hazardous weather outlooks on Thursday for most of the Granite State warning of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds from early Friday through 7 a.m. on Saturday.

"Moderate to heavy rainfall of 2 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts is expected late tonight and Friday over the forecast area with highest totals expected over the White and western Maine Mountains," the NWS said. "In addition, unseasonably warm and humid conditions, plus the rainfall, will contribute to significant and widespread snowmelt which may release an additional 1 to 2 inches of water."

The rainfall and snowmelt are expected to make streams and rivers rise around the state to flood watch areas.

"A few rivers are forecast to reach or exceed bankfull," the NWS said. "Smaller stream systems are expected to respond and crest Friday while main stems may not crest until late Saturday. In addition, remnant snowbanks are likely to block drains which may lead to urban flooding."

Wind gusts as high as 45 mph could be possible around the state.

Temperatures are expected to be as high as 57 degrees on Christmas Day in Concord but back down to the low 30s on Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 30 mph.

In Amherst, Bedford, Merrimack, Milford, and Nashua, temps are expected to be as high as 59 Friday and then back down into the 30s Saturday. Wind gusts are also expected to reach as high as 45 mph. Similar weather is expected in Londonderry, Salem, and Windham, too.

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On the Seacoast, including Exeter, Hampton, North Hampton, and Portsmouth, highs will be in the mid-50s with wind gusts slightly higher — up to 55 mph. Temps, too, will drop back down into the 30s on Saturday.

Power companies are also preparing for the storm.

Eversource, the state's largest utility company, said it was monitoring forecasts and "planning accordingly." The company has placed additional contract crews on standby to restore power to customers if they are needed.

Unitil warned the storm system could bring "prolonged wind gusts" and was expected to have "a strong front, similar to a summer thunderstorm, with embedded winds for a period of time Christmas morning." The wind gusts could cause downed branches and upended trees which could take down power lines and damage electric infrastructure.

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. Local, four-day weather reports for New Hampshire are posted on Sundays and Wednesday or Thursdays. Alerts are posted when needed.

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