New Hampshire storm forecast: Heavy rain, damaging winds

A powerful storm is battering New Hampshire, bringing heavy rain, threats of flooding and damaging winds that continue to cause power outages. SNOW CHANGED TO RAIN >> Interactive Radar Some places saw several inches of snow before the precipitation turned to rain — including 7.9 inches in Gorham, 7.0 inches in Sandwich and 5.0 inches in Berlin. >> WEATHER ALERT Rain continues statewide Temperatures have climbed to 40 to 50 degrees. Flooding threatens throughout the afternoon with 1-2.5 inches of rain in the south and 3 inches or more in the mountains. This heavy rain, combined with rapid snowmelt, could mean localized flooding. >> Check out the storm’s hourly precipitation schedule: Along the coastline, early high tide flooded throughout Rye, the Hamptons and other coastal areas. A flood watch was issued for much of New Hampshire on Friday, while flood warnings were issued for much of southeastern and east-central New Hampshire. The wind threat is very strong on Friday. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are expected in some places, and more are likely, particularly along the northern New Hampshire coast and higher terrain in the mid-afternoon to late afternoon as a strong cold front is moving. >> Check hourly gust forecast here: A gale warning – indicating gusts of up to 60 mph is possible – is in effect for Rockingham, Stratford, Coos and northern Grafton counties. Wind advisories – indicating gusts of up to 50 mph are possible – are in effect elsewhere. Roads refreeze Temperatures in the 50s will drop to zero or below in the West and elsewhere in the evening, with cooler air moving in soon after. Any standing water on the roads will freeze, leading to icy conditions into the night Friday night. Drivers should plan accordingly, and those out and about should be aware of black ice on sidewalks and driveways. One benefit is that strong winds may help dry out road surfaces before temperatures drop below freezing, which may help limit widespread icing. Christmas Eve and Christmas The cold air that followed the storm was just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas. The two-day high for the weekend might only be in the mid-20s. Wind chill could start in the single digits or below zero Saturday morning. Stay in touch with the Storm Watch 9 team for updates. Pay attention to the weather! Download the WMUR app for Apple or Android devices and turn on push notifications. You can choose to receive weather alerts for your geographic location and/or for up to three zip codes. Plus, you’ll get notifications when precipitation is falling in your area.Follow the Storm Watch 9 team on social media: Mike Haddad: Facebook | Twitter Kevin Scarupa: Facebook | Twitter Hayley LaPointe: Facebook | Twitter Jacqueline Thomas: Facebook | Twitter Matt Honig: Facebook | Twitter

A powerful storm is battering New Hampshire, bringing heavy rain, threats of flooding and damaging winds that continue to cause power outages.

storm in new hampshire

snow turns to rain

>> Interactive Radar

Several inches of snow were seen in some places — including 7.9 inches in Gorham, 7.0 inches in Sandwich and 5.0 inches in Berlin — before the precipitation turned to rain.

>> weather alert

Rain continued statewide as temperatures climbed into the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit.

flood threat

Moderate to heavy rain is expected in the afternoon, with 1-2.5 inches in the south and 3 inches or more in the mountains. This heavy rain, combined with rapid snowmelt, could mean localized flooding.

>> View hourly precipitation timelines for storms:

Along the coastline, flooding was reported across Rye, the Hamptons and other coastal areas at early high tide.

A flood watch was issued for much of New Hampshire on Friday, while flood warnings were issued for much of southeastern and east-central New Hampshire.

wind threat

Very windy Friday. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are expected in some places, and more are likely, particularly along the northern New Hampshire coast and higher terrain in the mid-afternoon to late afternoon as a strong cold front is moving.

>> Sea gusts here, hourly:

A strong wind warning — indicating gusts of up to 60 mph — is in effect for Rockingham, Stratford, Coos and northern Grafton counties. Wind advisories – indicating gusts of up to 50 mph are possible – were in effect elsewhere.

roads refreeze

Temperatures in the West and elsewhere will dip into the freezing 50s or below by late afternoon, before quickly moving into cooler air. Any standing water on the roads will freeze, leading to icy conditions into the night Friday night. Drivers should plan accordingly, and those out and about should be aware of black ice on sidewalks and driveways.

One good thing is that strong winds may help dry out roads before temperatures drop below freezing, which may help limit widespread icing.

Christmas Eve and Christmas

The storm was followed by a burst of cold air, just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas. The two-day high for the weekend might only be in the mid-20s.

Wind chill could start in the single digits or below zero Saturday morning.

Stay in touch with the Storm Watch 9 team for updates.

Pay attention to the weather! Download the WMUR app for Apple or Android devices and turn on push notifications. You can choose to receive weather alerts for your geographic location and/or for up to three zip codes. Additionally, you can receive notifications when precipitation is falling in your area.

Follow the Storm Watch 9 team on social media:

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