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Winter Storm Update: Ice, Dangerous Driving Conditions Across N.H.

Annie Ropeik for NHPR
A plow clears a road in Dover

Note: Scroll to the bottom of this story for links to utility outage maps and other severe weather resources.

Updated at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday:

Utility crews have restored power to thousands of customers across New Hampshire, and are continuing to address newly reported outages. As of 9 a.m., Eversource reported 444 without electricity, with 167 in Danville and 162 in Sandown. Unitil has 23 customers affected, and N.H. Electric Cooperative around 80.

Updated at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday:

While the winter storm warning remains in effect, the electric utilities are reporting few power outages at daybreak Tuesday.

New Hampshire Electric Coop reported 48 customers without electricity in Alton. Liberty Utilities says it has 50 outages in Derry, and it projects restoration by about 8 a.m.

The National Weather Service's winter storm warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. for most of New Hampshire. There's an advisory for southeastern New Hampshire, particularly along the coast where the storm is abating.

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Updated at 3:30 p.m

New Hampshire has seen only scattered power outages today despite an ongoing winter storm.

Steady snow and ice is expected to continue falling well into tomorrow, the kind of weather that, according to utility representatives, is the kind of weather that can cause fallen tree branches and other issues for power lines.

Credit Cori Princell for NHPR

Car accidents that affect utility poles can also cause outages, but these kinds of problems have only led to isolated incidents so far. At most, a couple thousand utility customers have been without power at any given time.

The utilities say they'll keep extra line crews ready to respond to problems through the rest of the storm.

Residents are reminded to keep away from any downed utility wires they see, and to report issues to their energy providers.

Updated at 3:30 p.m.:

Today’s wintry mix of rain, snow, and ice has created dangerous driving conditions throughout the state.

Richard Arcand from the Department of Transportation says his team is out salting and sanding roads, but drivers should still take precautions.

“People should proceed slowly," he says. "If they can avoid going out, we encourage them to stay home until we can get out and treat all the roads. And that does take time.”

Route 47 in Francestown and Powwow River Road in East Kingston are both closed due to two separate accidents that brought down utility poles.

The winter storm is expected to continue tonight and into tomorrow, trailing off some time Tuesday afternoon.

Updated at 11:50 a.m.:

The state's Transportation Management Center says storm-related road conditions are mostly fair, but more difficult in western New Hampshire.

Route 47 in Francestown has been closed due to an accident that took down a utility pole. The Department of Transportation says it will take a few hours for the road to re-open.

Road speeds have been reduced to 45 miles per hour on I-89 from New London to the Vermont border, and also on I-95 between Massachusetts and the Maine border.

The DOT is advising drivers to proceed slowly and if possible avoid going out until roads have been cleared.

Updated at 9 a.m.:

A winter storm is bringing a mix of snow, sleet and rain across New Hampshire today.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for the storm front lingering with this wintry mix into Tuesday morning.

The storm warning for most of the Granite State continues until 1 p.m. Tuesday, with 3- to 8- inches of snow and significant ice accumulation for parts of Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties.

Credit NWS

Eastern Hillsborough and Rockingham counties are expected to get 2- to 6- inches of snow, with ice accumulations up to two-tenths of an inch, according to the weather service.

The state's Emergency Operations Center opened at 6 a.m. to monitor the storm.

SEVERE WEATHER RESOURCES:

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