Weather
New Hampshire Winter Weather 2026/27: Snow Disaster Checklist
Manchester, NH – A powerful December blizzard could leave New Hampshire residents facing snow covered roads, frozen pipes, dangerous wind chills and extended power outages. As winter 2026/27 approache
By Nora Whitfield · 2026-11-15T17:11:39.128Z
Manchester, NH – A powerful December blizzard could leave New Hampshire residents facing snow covered roads, frozen pipes, dangerous wind chills and extended power outages. As winter 2026/27 approaches, homeowners across Manchester, Hillsborough County, the greater Manchester metropolitan area and communities throughout the state should prepare before severe weather creates potentially dangerous conditions.
According to the National Weather Service and preparedness guidance from New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, winter storms can produce heavy snowfall, damaging winds, freezing precipitation and hazardous travel. Southern New Hampshire can experience heavy, wet snow and ice, while the White Mountains and northern communities face additional risks from extreme cold, drifting snow and difficult mountain travel.
Here are 10 important steps New Hampshire residents should take before a December blizzard threatens their homes.
1. Inspect Your Roof Before Heavy Snow Creates Dangerous Weight New Hampshire roofs can accumulate substantial snow, particularly during storms producing heavy, wet precipitation.
Inspect shingles, gutters, flashing and attic spaces for existing damage.
Homeowners in Concord, Nashua and Manchester should pay attention to older roofs and areas where snow collects unevenly.
In the White Mountains, repeated snowfall can create significant seasonal accumulation.
Watch for sagging rooflines, new ceiling cracks or unusual structural noises. Contact a qualified professional if structural damage is suspected.
Never climb onto an icy roof.
2. Protect Water Pipes Before Temperatures Drop Below Freezing Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive water damage, especially during prolonged cold outbreaks.
Insulate exposed plumbing in basements, crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.
Disconnect outdoor hoses, protect exterior faucets and locate the main water shutoff valve.
Residents in Berlin, Lancaster and northern Coos County should take extra precautions against prolonged subzero temperatures.
Keep indoor heating operating when traveling and open cabinet doors beneath vulnerable sinks during extreme cold.
3. Service Your Furnace, Boiler or Heat Pump Before December A heating failure during a winter storm can quickly become an emergency.
Schedule professional inspections of oil fired boilers, propane furnaces, heat pumps and other heating equipment.
Replace appropriate filters, check fuel supplies and verify that thermostats function properly.
Residents using wood stoves should arrange chimney inspections and cleaning when needed.
Keep outdoor heating exhaust outlets clear of accumulating snow.
4. Prepare for Power Outages That Could Last Several Days Heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds can bring down trees and power lines across New Hampshire.
Wooded neighborhoods and rural communities may experience prolonged restoration periods after damaging storms.
Keep flashlights, charged power banks, batteries and emergency radios accessible.
Households depending on electrically powered medical devices should establish backup arrangements.
Operate portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, with exhaust directed away from buildings.
Never operate generators inside garages or enclosed porches.
5. Build a Blizzard Emergency Supply Kit Maintain at least three days of emergency supplies, with additional provisions for remote households.
Store one gallon of drinking water per person daily, nonperishable food, prescription medications, blankets, first aid equipment and pet supplies.
Homes relying on private wells should store additional water because electric pumps may stop operating during outages.
Keep winter clothing, flashlights and essential supplies in an accessible location.
6. Prevent Ice Dams and Hidden Roof Damage Ice dams form when melting roof snow refreezes near colder roof edges, trapping water beneath roofing materials.
Inspect attic insulation, seal accessible air leaks and maintain proper ventilation.
Replace damaged weatherstripping around windows and doors to reduce heat loss.
Homes with recurring ice dams should be evaluated by qualified contractors before heavy snowfall.
Avoid attempting dangerous roof repairs during freezing conditions.
7. Remove Hazardous Tree Limbs Before Snow and Ice Arrive Heavy, wet snow and freezing rain can cause weakened branches to break.
Inspect trees near roofs, garages, driveways and electrical service lines.
Arrange professional removal of dead or unstable limbs.
Southern New Hampshire communities, including Nashua, Derry and Salem, should pay particular attention to trees near homes and overhead utilities.
Never approach fallen electrical wires or attempt to remove branches touching power lines.
8. Prepare Snowblowers, Driveways and Emergency Exits A major winter storm can quickly block driveways, sidewalks and emergency access routes.
Inspect snowblowers, shovels and ice melting supplies before December.
Check equipment condition and store fuel safely.
Keep exterior stairways, emergency exits, heating fuel delivery routes and furnace vents accessible.
Residents in mountainous areas should also prepare for drifting snow that can repeatedly block cleared entrances.
Avoid overexertion while shoveling, especially if you have cardiovascular risk factors.
9. Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors Before Using Backup Heating Carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a serious concern during winter power outages.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries or devices according to manufacturer instructions.
Keep generator exhaust away from buildings and ensure heating appliance vents remain unobstructed.
Never use charcoal grills, camping stoves, gasoline powered equipment or kitchen ovens to heat indoor spaces.
Residents experiencing symptoms of possible carbon monoxide exposure should immediately move to fresh air and call 911.
10. Establish a Family Blizzard Emergency Plan Identify where household members can safely shelter if electricity or heating fails.
Keep emergency contacts written down and locate community warming centers when municipal officials announce their availability.
Check on older neighbors, residents with disabilities and people living alone.
Monitor National Weather Service forecasts, New Hampshire Department of Transportation travel updates and local emergency management announcements.
Avoid unnecessary travel during blizzard warnings, especially along Interstate 93, Interstate 89 and mountain routes where visibility can deteriorate rapidly.
Why December Preparation Matters for New Hampshire Winter 2026/27 Winter weather risks vary considerably across New Hampshire.
Manchester, Nashua and southern Hillsborough County can experience heavy, wet snow, freezing rain and power outages. Concord and central New Hampshire face substantial snowfall and hazardous road conditions, while communities near Mount Washington and the White Mountains can encounter extreme winds, drifting snow and dangerous cold.
Although a specific December blizzard is not being forecast by this preparedness guide, severe winter storms remain a recurring seasonal hazard.
Waiting until a winter storm warning is issued can leave households scrambling for heating fuel, emergency supplies and snow removal equipment.
For New Hampshire residents, completing these 10 preparations before December storms develop could mean the difference between safely weathering a major winter event and facing frozen plumbing, heating failures, costly property damage or dangerous emergency travel.