A nor’easter storm is delivering steady rain and high winds to New Hampshire, and scattered power outages are being reported.
The National Weather Service has extended its high surf advisory until 6 p.m. Monday and reports flood prone areas on the Seacoast may see minor coastal flooding Monday afternoon.
Utility crews restored power to over 5,000 Sunday. Reported outages Monday at 7:30 a.m.:
- Eversource, 109;
- Unitil, 132;
- NH Electric Cooperative, three;
- Liberty Utilities, two.
An earlier version of this story continues below here.
Given the storm tracking, the region could see sustained wind impact, from 24 to 48 hours duration, said Cameron Barker, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.
“That’s certainly the area that will see the roughest conditions,” he said. “It’s a longer duration wind event, though the peak will be Saturday evening, and Sunday.”
While inland areas can expect blustery conditions, the southeastern corner of New Hampshire will likely see some isolated power outages.
A nor’easter is not unusual for New England as the weather turns colder, Barker said, but, “This is definitely on the early side.”
A coastal flood advisory was issued Friday. It's in effect Saturday at 10 a.m. through Sunday at 4 p.m. A flood advisory means minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent, according to the weather service.
Public safety officials urge motorists not to drive around barricades, or through water of unknown depth.
Additional advisories from the National Weather Service:
- High surf advisory – in effect Friday at 8 a.m. to Sunday at 8 p.m. Large breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet expected. A high surf advisory means dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, with localized beach erosion possible.
- High risk of rip currents. Rough sea conditions and higher winds offshore. Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, typically extending from shoreline and through the surf zone.
Bailey Nordin, meteorologist for the Mount Washington Observatory, said rain and cooler temperatures are in the forecast statewide.
“A slight chance of rain in the morning will increase through the day on Saturday, and winds across higher elevations will ramp up to hurricane force by Saturday afternoon,” Nordin said in the Recreational Forecast for NHPR.
Editor's note: This post was originally published Sept. 24. It was updated Sept. 25-28 with additional information about outages and forecasts.
