New Hampshire greets March with light snowflakes drifting across Manchester and a gray sky hanging low over I-93. Pavement looks wet, but bursts of snow are coating grassy areas and side streets. Temperatures sit near 34 degrees late this morning, yet colder air presses in.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray/Portland, snow remains likely through late morning, mainly before 10 a.m., with a 60% chance of precipitation. Daytime accumulation stays under an inch, but brief heavier pockets could reduce visibility and create slick stretches on bridges and ramps.
Skies gradually brighten this afternoon as highs reach around 30 degrees. Then temperatures tumble quickly after sunset. Lows fall to near 4 degrees with northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph. Wind chills drop below zero. Any moisture left on Route 101 or I-293 will refreeze fast. This is classic flash-freeze season. Plan extra time for the Monday morning drive.
Monday brings sunshine but only a 26-degree high. Cold air holds firm into Monday night with lows near 8. By Tuesday, milder air begins to push north. Snow may mix with rain after midday, then steadier rain develops. Temperatures climb to near 39 degrees.
Tuesday night turns unsettled with rain changing to snow after midnight as lows dip near 29. Snow showers may linger early Wednesday before skies partially clear and highs rebound into the upper 40s. Thursday pushes close to 49 degrees, hinting at spring warmth ahead.
Clocks spring forward next Sunday at 2 a.m., and New Hampshire will gain nearly 100 minutes of daylight this month. Longer-range trends favor above-normal temperatures late next week. Are you seeing slick roads or steady flakes in your neighborhood? Let us know.
Five Day Outlook for Manchester, New Hampshire:
Monday: Sunny, high 26.
Tuesday: Rain and snow mix, high 39.
Wednesday: Snow likely early, then mostly sunny, high 47.
Thursday: Partly sunny, high 49.
Friday: Chance of rain or freezing rain, high 44.
