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New Hampshire Snow: Manchester, Concord Could See 20 Inches From 1
Manchester, NH – As winter approaches across New Hampshire, residents from Manchester to Concord may notice something surprising about snowfall predictions. Two nearby communities can receive nearly i
By Marcus Hale · 2026-11-10T07:31:28.668Z
Manchester, NH – As winter approaches across New Hampshire, residents from Manchester to Concord may notice something surprising about snowfall predictions. Two nearby communities can receive nearly identical amounts of moisture from a winter storm yet experience dramatically different snow accumulations. Under certain atmospheric conditions, just 1 inch of liquid precipitation can produce approximately 20 inches of snow.
The explanation involves a measurement known as the snow to liquid ratio, which helps meteorologists estimate how much snow will accumulate during winter weather events.
Why One Inch of Moisture Can Produce 20 Inches of Snow
A commonly used forecasting guideline is the 10 to 1 ratio, meaning 1 inch of liquid water produces approximately 10 inches of snow.
However, actual ratios can vary considerably depending on temperature, moisture and atmospheric conditions.
Heavy, wet snow may have a ratio near 5 to 1, producing only 5 inches of snow from 1 inch of liquid precipitation.
Colder, fluffier snow can sometimes reach a 20 to 1 ratio, producing approximately 20 inches from the same amount of moisture.
Manchester and Concord: Why Snowfall Totals Can Differ
Manchester and Concord are separated by roughly 15 miles, but even relatively short distances can produce different snowfall outcomes during winter storms.
Small changes in temperature can determine whether precipitation falls as wet snow, fluffy snow or a mixture of rain and snow.
Farther north, communities near the White Mountains may experience additional snowfall variations because of elevation and terrain.
Higher elevations can enhance precipitation as moist air rises over mountainous terrain.
Wind also affects snow accumulation by breaking apart snowflakes, compacting snow and redistributing it across exposed areas.
What New Hampshire Residents Should Know
Wet, heavy snow can place considerable stress on trees, power lines and rooftops, potentially increasing the risk of damage.
Lighter, fluffier snow may accumulate more deeply while containing less water per inch.
These differences can affect road conditions, snow removal and how quickly communities become covered.
Understanding snow ratios helps explain why snowfall predictions sometimes change even when the expected amount of precipitation remains similar.
For New Hampshire residents, the type of snow can be just as important as the total inches forecast.