New Hampshire starts the day under cold air and quiet skies, but winter hazards are already lining up.
The air feels sharp, and visibility drops in spots as freezing fog lingers early. Conditions may look calm, but travel risks are developing fast.
Temperatures rise into the low 40s later today as sunshine breaks through. That brief improvement helps melt frost on roads and sidewalks. To be fair, that melt creates a setup for later problems. As clouds increase, colder air hangs near the surface overnight.
Freezing fog becomes a concern again late day and into early Friday. Visibility may drop suddenly on back roads and bridges. Drivers near I-93, Route 3, and local connectors should expect slick patches where moisture freezes on contact.
Rain chances increase Friday afternoon as warmer air pushes north. Any lingering freezing fog early may transition to rain later. Roads turn wet quickly, and travel slows during the evening commute. Meteorologists note precipitation amounts stay light, but timing matters.
Saturday brings steadier rain, especially later in the day. Highs reach the mid-40s, keeping most precipitation liquid. Still, winter impacts remain possible. Wet pavement, fog, and low clouds reduce visibility across southern New Hampshire.
Saturday night into Sunday raises a new concern. Colder air filters back in as rain continues at times. A brief wintry mix cannot be ruled out before precipitation tapers. While widespread snow is not expected, slick conditions remain possible.
By Sunday night, skies begin to clear. Temperatures fall into the mid-20s. Any leftover moisture may refreeze, creating black ice on untreated roads and sidewalks. Flash freezing is a real risk after sunset.
Looking ahead, next week trends colder but quieter. Sunshine returns, with highs in the 30s and 40s. Daylight slowly increases, adding nearly 40 extra minutes by late January across New Hampshire.
Plan ahead: slow down in fog, watch bridges, and use caution late weekend when temperatures drop.
Five-Day Outlook (Manchester, NH)
- Today: Sunny, high near 41°F
- Friday: Clouds, freezing fog early, rain late, high near 43°F
- Saturday: Rain likely, high near 45°F
- Sunday: Rain early, cooler, high near 40°F
- Monday: Sunny, colder, high near 34°F
