New Hampshire
Uncommon cold? This winter gives New Hampshire classic weather vibes, but no records
After a string of unseasonably warm winters, this season has felt more like a traditional New England winter, with regular snowfall, frosty temperatures and ice everywhere.
“This is, you know, that’s what our winters are supposed to be like,” said Mary Stampone, New Hampshire’s state climatologist.
This winter has been colder than normal, but “normal” is the word being used to describe a 30-year average of conditions. Stampone said the latest 30-year window of data, from 1990 to 2020, is markedly different from earlier in the 20th century.
Since 1990, she notes, our winter temperatures and snowfall have been up and down.
“If you remember back in 2015, we had so much snow, right? But in the past five years, we’ve had much less snow than even that warmer normal would suggest,” Stampone said. “And this year happens to be one of those colder years that really is more representative of the type of winter weather we expect here in New England.”
This winter has seen the coldest December and January since that same two-month stretch recorded in 2009, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, based on its statewide average temperature rankings.
Stampone said this is one of the coldest, snowiest winters in New Hampshire since about 2018.
This classic winter weather has been a blessing for those who love outdoor activities like ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, and pond hockey.
It set the stage for a busy New England Pond Hockey Classic earlier this month on Lake Winnipesaukee. And the 97th annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby this past weekend in the Lakes Region was another cool success — warm weather forced organizers to cancel the race in 2024, which was the second year in a row it was called off due to unseasonably warmth and climate change.
“Our winters overall have warmed substantially, and we are seeing more pronounced warming during that cold season this winter season than we are in other seasons. So winters are warming faster than our summers are,” Stampone said.
Several years of warmer winter weather has meant a decrease in the number of bitter cold days, though the region still gets them.
The state right now has significantly more snowpack on the ground, even in the southern part of the state, than in recent years. This will help the water table, where parts of the state experienced extreme drought last year, and drought still continues across most of New Hampshire.
Some experts say conditions this winter could mean trouble come springtime.
Alex Prusevich, a hydrologist at the University of New Hampshire, said big spring floods require three key ingredients. Based on his observations around Durham, the area’s soil moisture levels and heavy snowpack check off two out of three of those criteria.
“If there will be heavy, warm rain next month or late winter that may cause another historical flood in the area,” he said.
Look Ahead
The National Weather Service is tracking a potentially heavy band of snow for Wednesday and into the evening, with plowable snow accumulation notably for southern New Hampshire.
There is a chance for another round of snowfall Friday and Saturday.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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