Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Travel along the Seacoast could turn life-threatening after sunset as a blizzard drops up to 14 inches of heavy snow and unleashes wind gusts to 50 mph from 7 p.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, a Blizzard Warning is in effect for Coastal Rockingham County, including Portsmouth, Hampton, Rye and Seabrook. Visibilities may fall below one-quarter mile as falling and blowing snow intensifies overnight. Periods of heavy snow bands are expected Sunday night into Monday, leading to rapid accumulations and snowfall rates capable of quickly covering treated roads.
Major routes including Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and Route 101 are expected to deteriorate rapidly, particularly on bridges and exposed coastal stretches. The storm is likely to severely impact both the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Heavy, wet snow combined with 50 mph gusts could snap tree limbs and down power lines, creating an elevated risk of outages across the Seacoast. Loose outdoor objects may become airborne in strong winds. Officials urge residents to delay all non-essential travel, secure outdoor items and prepare for extended power disruptions. Check the latest road conditions at newengland511.org.
Snow and strong winds will persist into Monday night before tapering. The Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Monday.
