A very strong storm sweeps through New Hampshire bringing heavy rain, risk of flooding, some snow and high winds that will cause power outages. >> Weather AlertsSNOW BEFORE THE RAIN FILLS Some pockets of snow and/or wintry mix moved through northern New Hampshire Friday morning.>> Interactive RadarSome locations saw several inches of snow – including Gorham at 7.9 inches, Sandwich at 7.0 inches and Berlin at 5.0 inches – before precipitation turned to rain. Rain is expected across New Hampshire for most of Friday as temperatures soar into the 40s and 50s. FLOOD HAZARD Rain will fall moderate to heavy for much of the day, with 1-2.5 inches in southern areas and 3 inches or more in the mountains. This heavy rain coupled with a rapid snowmelt could mean local flooding. >> View the hourly precipitation timeline for the storm: Flooding was observed along the coast in Rye, Hampton and other coastal locations. Most of New Hampshire is on a flood warning Friday, while a flood warning is in effect for most of southeastern and east-central New Hampshire. There were some gusts in excess of 60 mph and more are possible, particularly along the coast and higher ground of northern New Hampshire in mid to late afternoon when a strong cold front approaches. High wind warnings – indicating gusts could exceed 60mph – are in place for Rockingham, Strafford, Coos and northern Grafton counties. A wind warning – saying gusts of up to 80mph are possible – is in effect elsewhere. ROAD RE-FREEZE Temperatures are likely to drop from 45 to 55 degrees by early to mid afternoon or to freezing by late afternoon in western locations and elsewhere in the early evening with much colder air quickly following. Standing water on the streets is freezing, making for freezing conditions Friday evening into the night hours. Drivers should plan accordingly, and people driving should be aware of black ice on sidewalks and driveways. The only good thing is that the strong winds can help dry road surfaces before temperatures drop below freezing, which could help limit widespread icing. CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY What follows this storm is a gust of cold air just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Highs will likely only be in the 20s for both days over the weekend. Wind chills are likely to start in the single digits or below zero on Saturday morning. Stay with the Storm Watch 9 team for updates. Be weather aware! Download the WMUR app for Apple or Android devices and enable push notifications. You can choose to receive weather alerts for your geolocation and/or up to three zip codes. In addition, you can be notified when there is precipitation in your area. Follow the Storm Watch 9 team on social media: Mike Haddad: Facebook | TwitterKevin Skarupa: Facebook | TwitterHayley LaPoint: Facebook | TwitterJacqueline Thomas: Facebook | TwitterMatt Hoenig: Facebook | Twitter
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire —
A very strong storm sweeps through New Hampshire bringing heavy rain, risk of flooding, some snow and high winds that will cause power outages.
>> Weather Warnings
SNOW BEFORE THE RAIN FILLS
A few pockets of snow and/or wintry mix moved through northern New Hampshire on Friday morning.
>> Interactive Radar
Some spots saw several inches of snow — including Gorham at 7.9 inches, Sandwich at 7.0 inches and Berlin at 5.0 inches — before the precipitation turned to rain.
Rain is expected across New Hampshire for most of Friday as temperatures soar into the 40s and 50s.
FLOOD HAZARD
Rain will fall moderate to heavy for much of the day, with 1-2.5 inches in southern areas and 3 inches or more in the mountains. This heavy rain coupled with a rapid snowmelt could mean local flooding.
>> View the hourly precipitation timeline for the storm:
Flooding was observed along the coast in Rye, Hampton and other coastal towns.
Most of New Hampshire is on a flood warning for Friday, while most of southeast and east-central New Hampshire is on a flood warning.
WIND HAZARD
The wind will be very strong throughout Friday. There were some 60+ mph gusts and more are possible, particularly along the coast and higher terrain of northern New Hampshire in mid to late afternoon when a strong cold front moves in.
Strong wind warnings are in place for Rockingham, Strafford, Coos and northern Grafton County, indicating gusts could exceed 60mph. Elsewhere, a wind warning is in effect, saying gusts of up to 50mph are possible.
ROAD FROZE AGAIN
Temperatures are likely to drop from 45 to 55 degrees in early to mid afternoon to freezing or below in late afternoon in western locations and elsewhere in early evening, with much colder air moving in quickly thereafter. Standing water on the streets is freezing, making for freezing conditions Friday evening into the night hours. Drivers should plan accordingly, and people driving should be aware of black ice on sidewalks and driveways.
The only good thing is that the strong winds can help dry road surfaces before temperatures drop below freezing, which could help limit widespread icing.
CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY
What follows this storm is a cold draft just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Highs will likely only be in the 20s for both days over the weekend.
Wind chills are likely to start in the single digits or below zero on Saturday morning.
Stay with the Storm Watch 9 team for updates.
Be weather aware! Download the WMUR app for Apple or Android devices and enable push notifications. You can choose to receive weather alerts for your geolocation and/or up to three zip codes. In addition, you can be notified when there is precipitation in your area.
Follow the Storm Watch 9 team on social media:
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