Concord, New Hampshire – A powerful surge of arctic air is set to sweep into New Hampshire late this week, delivering dangerous cold and life-threatening wind chills as one of the harshest cold snaps of the season takes hold across the state.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, bitter cold will spread into New Hampshire by Friday night, with the most severe conditions expected through the weekend and lingering into early next week. Wind chills could drop to minus 35 to minus 40 degrees across northern New Hampshire, particularly in Coös County and higher elevations of the White Mountains.
Daytime temperatures will struggle to climb out of the single digits statewide, with sub-zero readings likely in the North Country even during the afternoon. Concord, Laconia, and Lebanon could see wind chills fall into the minus 25 to minus 30 range, while Mount Washington and surrounding high terrain face the most extreme and prolonged exposure risk.
The cold raises concerns for travel, utilities, and outdoor safety. New Hampshire DOT officials urge motorists to avoid non-essential travel during overnight hours, keep winter survival kits in vehicles, and ensure cars are fully winterized. Residents are advised to protect exposed pipes, limit time outdoors, bring pets inside, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Frostbite can occur in minutes under these conditions.
The extreme cold is expected to persist into early next week, and additional cold weather advisories or warnings may be issued. Officials urge residents to stay alert and monitor local alerts as hazardous conditions continue across New Hampshire.
