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Storm Update: Sleet, Ice, Hazardous Driving Conditions Expected To Follow Snow In N.H.

Note: The map reflects the official National Weather Service forecast as of Sunday morning. Click here for the latest predicted snow totals. 

Sunday a.m.:

Low pressure will continue to spread snow across the northern New England region throughout the day.

Widespread double digits snowfall totals are still expected, with some sleet and freezing rain mixing in after sunrise for southern New Hampshire and coastal western Maine.

While mixed precipitation is expected to remain mostly sleet, ice accumulation up to one quarter inch is possible.

Driving conditions will be treacherous through Sunday afternoon.

Arctic air will pour in behind the departing system late today into Monday. Significant blowing and drifting is possible through Monday, even after the snow has stopped falling.

Strong northwest winds approaching 30 mph gusts will combine with the bitterly cold air to produce dangerous wind chills starting tonight.

Saturday:

This weekend's winter storm could bring widespread power outages to New Hampshire.

Electric customers can report outages by phone or online, and track restorations through utilities' websites and social media.

Residents are encouraged to make sure they have adequate heating fuel supplies, and check in on elderly or sick neighbors who may lose power or heat.

Liberty Utilities spokesman John Shore says residents should also avoid touching or driving over any downed power lines.

"And because of the amount of snow that's expected, when you're plowing or shoveling, make sure you keep your gas meters and any venting from appliances to the outside of your house - keep those clear,” he says. “That's very important."

Blocked vents can cause deadly gases like carbon monoxide to build up in a house. Residents should also check that their carbon monoxide alarms are working.

Friday 3:30 PM:

A major snowstorm expected to hit the Northeast this weekend will coincide with a lunar eclipse and potential coastal flooding on the Seacoast.

The position of the sun, moon and earth could cause what's called an astronomical high tide during the storm.

It would mean extra storm surge and splash-over against seawalls in towns like Rye, where Kevin Walsh is the police chief.

"If the seawalls aren't able to withstand the astronomical high tides, it will wash out underneath the pavement and then the pavement could potentially collapse in on the sides of the road,” he says.

He says this kind of damage happened during the nor'easter of March 2018.

While emergency responders keep an eye out for problems this weekend, he says residents should stay out of the way.

“There’s a lot of people that like to do some things like sightseeing or surfing,” Walsh says, “and when you’re parking your vehicles along 1A, it is a challenge for the Department of Transportation to get their trucks around you.”

He says Rye is coordinating with other towns and state emergency managers as well as private partners to marshal the storm response resources they might need.

Friday 11:40 AM:

The New Hampshire State Police are reminding drivers to be cautious on the roads this weekend as a major snowstorm moves through the state. The department is urging people to drive slowly, move over for emergency vehicles and pay attention to warnings from the Department of Transportation.

Weather officials predict heavy snowfall beginning Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. They predict snowfall totals anywhere from 10 to 18 inches statewide.

Friday 7:00 AM:

Wintry weather is poised to cause some problems as the week draws to a close in the Northeast, but an even bigger storm is looming for the weekend with up to 2 feet of snow expected in parts of northern New England.

There's the possibility of a couple of inches of snow Friday in New England, and the National  Weather Service has declared a winter storm watch Saturday into Sunday for all of New Hampshire.

Some locations in southern New Hampshire and the seacoast area could see a mix of snow and sleet.

Tom Hawley from the National Weather Service said the biggest snowfall is expected in northern New England. He said the nor'easter will arrive Sunday and linger into Monday.

Brattleboro, Vermont, Public Works Director Steve Barrett said road crews are getting ready for a mix of sleet, snow, wind and cold temperatures.

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