Concord, NH – New Hampshire heads into the holidays under an “equal chances” temperature forecast, but residents should still expect significant snow potential from December 20 through January 2, according to NOAA’s Week 3–4 Outlook. With Christmas and New Years included, the state may see several wintry disturbances capable of affecting travel.
According to NOAA, New Hampshire lies within a band stretching from Washington to New Jersey where temperatures have equal chances of being above or below normal during the holiday period. While this does not indicate a strong temperature trend, New Hampshire’s late-December climate naturally supports frequent snow, especially during overnight hours or when colder pockets pass through.
For precipitation, the state also sits in an equal-chances zone, signaling likely near-normal totals. At this time of year, near-normal precipitation typically means multiple snow opportunities, particularly for the interior and higher elevations. Forecasters note that one or more coastal systems could develop during the window, bringing moderate to heavy snowfall inland and periods of snow-to-mix transitions closer to the shoreline.
Communities across Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, and the Lakes Region should plan for periodic slick roads, reduced visibility, and shifting precipitation types from Dec. 20–Jan. 2. Mountain regions—including North Conway, Bretton Woods, and the White Mountains—are poised for more consistent snowfall and may see the strongest holiday accumulations.
If colder air aligns with incoming systems, New Hampshire could see a White Christmas and a snowy start to 2026.
Forecasters will refine system-specific timing as the holiday window approaches.
