PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Valentine’s weekend is bringing milder air across New Hampshire, and in Portsmouth, that shift could mean more than just a break from winter.
It can change how people drive.
After weeks of snowbanks, slick pavement, and cautious commutes, the first warm stretch of February creates a subtle psychological shift. Roads look clearer. Intersections feel easier. Drivers accelerate sooner and follow more closely without realizing it.
And this weekend, movement increases.
Traffic builds along I-95 and Route 16 as couples head toward dinner reservations. Downtown Portsmouth sees heavier evening congestion near Market Square. Parking fills quickly around Bow Street and the waterfront. Some drivers take scenic routes past Prescott Park before nighttime plans.
Warmer temperatures also bring more pedestrians out — especially in walkable areas — adding unpredictability to roads that have felt quieter in recent weeks.
It’s not snowstorms that create risk during a weekend like this.
It’s comfort.
When conditions look manageable, reaction times often soften. Drivers assume others see them. They assume stops will be smooth. They assume winter caution isn’t as necessary.
But Valentine’s anticipation adds distraction and tighter timelines to the mix.
The combination of milder weather, increased traffic, and emotional distraction can quietly raise crash risk across Portsmouth roadways — even without hazardous forecasts.
If you’re traveling Saturday or Sunday evening, especially through downtown or along major corridors, stay alert.
Because sometimes the most dangerous winter driving conditions are the ones that feel the safest.
