New England Braces for Heavy Snowfall and Arctic Blast

CONCORD, N.H. — A winter storm warning is in effect for much of central and southern New Hampshire as the region prepares for heavy snowfall Sunday night, followed by an Arctic blast that will bring dangerously cold temperatures early next week.

The storm is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of snow to much of the state, with the heaviest accumulation in southern areas. Northern regions, including the White Mountains, are forecast to receive 2 to 4 inches. Snow will begin after 4 p.m. Sunday and continue through the overnight hours, with the heaviest snowfall expected between 8 p.m. and midnight.

“Travel will become difficult with deteriorating road conditions,” said meteorologist Matt Hoenig. “Snowfall rates could approach 1 inch per hour, lowering visibility and creating slippery roads.”

The storm is expected to taper off by sunrise Monday, but the aftermath will bring frigid temperatures. Highs on Monday will struggle to reach the 20s, with wind chills making it feel close to zero degrees. By Tuesday, temperatures will plummet further, with highs in the teens and nighttime lows dropping below zero. Wind chills could dip as low as 10 to 20 degrees below zero statewide.

“Frostbite can form in about 15 to 20 minutes on exposed skin,” Hoenig warned. “It’s a good idea to bundle up if you have to be outdoors.”

The storm comes during a busy travel weekend, with many residents returning from holiday trips. Roads are expected to remain clear until early afternoon Sunday, but conditions will deteriorate rapidly as snow begins to accumulate. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine, warning of hazardous conditions that could impact the Monday morning commute.

“Even light snowfall amounts can accumulate on roads and cause dangerous driving conditions,” the NWS stated. Snowfall totals of 3 to 7 inches are forecast for areas such as Portsmouth, Exeter, Hampton, Dover, and Rochester in New Hampshire, as well as Kittery, York, and Kennebunk in Maine.

The cold snap is part of a larger weather pattern affecting much of the country. By Tuesday, an Arctic air mass will sweep across the eastern United States, bringing subzero wind chills to New England and beyond.

Residents are advised to prepare for the storm by ensuring they have adequate supplies and to avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the snowfall. Plow crews are expected to work through the night to clear roads, but untreated or unplowed surfaces may remain hazardous into Monday morning.