The weather in New Hampshire can be unpredictable. At the very least, it is changeable, depending on daily and seasonal variations in temperature.
A major reason for this is the state’s geography. Aside from plentiful granite, New Hampshire is also near the ocean, lakes, rivers, and mountains. In particular, the jet stream close to the Granite State results in highly variable weather.
However, in general, New Hampshirites can expect mild summers and cold, snowy winters. Of course, this will vary depending on an area’s elevation and location, i.e., north or south. The cold is more extreme in the northernmost and westernmost portions of the state. On the other hand, the southeast parts of New Hampshire experience warmer temperatures, thanks to the area’s lower elevation and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
When it comes to severe weather, the state faces a major climate hazard in the form of extreme weather events or storms, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. These natural events include tropical cyclones, winter storms, floods, cold waves, severe coastal storms, and thunderstorms.
Winter Storms and Snow
Over the 10-year period from 2011 to 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made 15 major disaster declarations for the state. Of this number, seven had to do with flooding and severe storms.
A winter storm is often characterized by subfreezing temperatures, snow, strong winds, and ice or heavy rain storms. In the Granite State, winter storms range from a few hours of moderate snowfall to several days of blizzard conditions or more commonly known as a Nor’eater.
Winter storms are perhaps the deadliest of New Hampshire’s severe weather events. Often referred to as “deceptive killers,” winter storms have indirectly led to the many deaths. Fatalities often result in injuries or death due to icy roads and prolonged exposure to the cold or hypothermia.
In addition, winter storms can also result in lack of power, heat, and communications that can sometimes last for days. Extremely cold temperatures and large snow accumulation can also lead to road blockage, closed highways, and roof collapses. It can even cause coastal flooding and beach erosion.
House fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are also frequent during winter. These winter fires are often ignited when people do not follow proper safety precautions when using space heaters, unattended fires, and other alternate heating sources.
‘The Worst Weather on Earth’
Having “the worst weather on Earth” is a designation that no city, state, or country desires. Unfortunately, New Hampshire has a combination of factors that create weather which is “arguably the most brutal in the world,” according to Big Think.
If you’ve been to the Granite State, you might think this description is absurd, and you’re not wrong. “Of course, that weather isn’t widespread across the Granite State, which for the most part has a pleasantly mild, temperate climate, but is rather concentrated at one location in particular: Mount Washington,” writes RealClearScience editor Steven Ross Pomeroy.
Mt. Washington is just one of several peaks in the White Mountains, but it is the best-known among them. Standing at 6,288 feet (1,917 meters), it is the third highest peak in the United States east of the Mississippi River and is the highest White Mountains peak in New Hampshire.
Its geographic location and surrounding terrain makes Mt. Washington susceptible to high winds and storms. The average annual wind speed in the mountain is 35 mph (56 kph), which only worsens as the seasons grow colder. In winter, Mt. Washington experiences winds at or above hurricane force, which is at least 74 mph (119 kph) every other day, on average.
Adding to gusty winds is a cold annual average temperature of 27°F (-2.8°C), which only gets colder during winter at an average of 7°F (-13.9°C). In fact, Mt. Washington has a record low of -47°F (-43.9°C). These conditions can no doubt chill or freeze people and things in minutes.
Precipitation at the peak is abundant too. The mountain receives around 100 inches (254 cm) of rain. In the winter, snow reaches 281 inches (714 cm) annually. Plus, fog is present about 60% of the time.
In other words, severe wind, cold, and rain conditions combine to create “the worst weather on Earth.”
These brutal conditions, in fact, is the perfect setting for weather testing products. “If they can survive Mount Washington, they can survive anywhere,” Mt. Washington researchers claim.
However, visiting the summit in summertime is a different story. You can hike to the top and gain a bird’s-eye view of New Hampshire and its neighboring states.
Effects of Climate Change on New Hampshire Weather
Experts have long been raising warnings about the impending effects of climate change to the country and the world. In fact, people are already beginning to feel the expected long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns.
For instance, those living in the northeastern United States have seen spring arriving earlier. It is also bringing more precipitation. Summers are becoming hotter and drier, and heavy rainstorms are becoming more frequent. There’s also the issue of flooding brought about by severe storms and rising sea levels.
In New Hampshire, the following are some of the expected impacts that climate change will have on the state and its citizens.
Changes in Precipitation and Temperature
In the last century, New Hampshire’s temperature has increased by two to three degrees due to climate change. This will increase evaporation and lead to the melting of snow earlier in spring.
In addition, it’s also changing precipitation patterns in the region. For instance, average annual precipitation is expected to increase in winter and spring. The likelihood of heavy downpours will also be more frequent.
Both increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns also have the potential to increase the intensity of floods and droughts in the area.
Increased Risk of Diseases
Warmer winters are expected to prolong the activities of some insects, which can lead to longer exposure to the diseases they carry. For instance, ticks that transmit Lyme disease and the Asian tiger mosquito which carries West Nile virus will both be active if the temperature is warm enough.
The Effect of Climate Change on Winter Recreation
The Granite State has also been experiencing warmer winters, which have resulted in less snow and more rain. Because of this, experts fear that skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and other recreational activities will be impacted. This, in turn, will have an adverse effect on the local economies.
