Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Do not plan on traveling Monday as blizzard conditions with 10 to 13 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 50 mph hammer the Seacoast from midnight through 10 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, a Blizzard Warning is in effect for Coastal Rockingham County, including Portsmouth, Hampton, Seabrook and Rye. Snow will overspread the area overnight, with the most intense conditions expected during the daylight hours Monday. Visibility will frequently drop below a quarter mile as strong winds whip falling snow into whiteout conditions.
Roads including Interstate 95, Route 1 and Route 101 could become snow-covered and impassable, especially during the Monday morning and evening commutes. Blowing and drifting snow may block secondary roads near the immediate coastline.
Wind gusts to 50 mph could snap tree limbs and down isolated power lines, raising the risk of scattered outages. Coastal communities such as North Hampton and Hampton Falls face the strongest gusts during the afternoon.
Officials urge residents to delay all travel. If you must drive, carry a winter survival kit and check newengland511.org for the latest road conditions. Blizzard conditions are expected to ease late Monday night, but cleanup and power restoration could extend beyond that window.
