Winter air bites hard across northern New England this morning as breath crystallizes and cars creak in the cold. The ground feels brittle, and even calm moments carry a sharp edge that stings exposed skin.
New Hampshire and Maine remain under a Cold Weather Advisory through Friday morning, covering much of southern and central New Hampshire and parts of southwest and western Maine. According to the National Weather Service in Gray, wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero are possible, especially at night and during early morning hours. Frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
In Manchester, temperatures sit below zero early, with actual readings near minus 4. Even light winds push wind chills into dangerous territory. Roads may look dry, but flash freezing remains a concern where melted snow refreezes, especially on bridges and untreated side streets. Drivers should allow extra stopping distance and watch shaded areas closely.
Cold persists into Friday with sunshine offering little warmth. Highs struggle to reach the low teens, and nighttime lows dip back below zero. By Saturday, skies stay mostly sunny, but the cold hangs on, keeping daytime temperatures near 20.
Attention then turns to Sunday as clouds increase and snow chances rise during the afternoon and evening. While amounts remain uncertain, light snow could coat roads quickly given the cold surface temperatures. Slushy spots may refreeze after dark, creating slick travel conditions across southern New Hampshire and nearby Maine towns.
Looking into early next week, temperatures slowly moderate, though winter remains firmly in place across the region. Meteorologists continue monitoring broader storm patterns tied to deep cold across eastern North America.
Five Day Outlook for Manchester, New Hampshire:
- Today: Mostly sunny, bitter cold, wind chills below zero
- Friday: Sunny, high near 13
- Saturday: Sunny, high near 20
- Sunday: Chance of snow, high near 24
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 31
