Anyone headed to Mount Washington and other high summits in New Hampshire later this week should be prepared for significant snow, dangerously cold temperatures, and hurricane-force winds.
In a forecast for New Hampshire’s higher summits posted on the Mount Washington Observatory website Wednesday morning, forecasters warned of dangerous conditions moving into the region Wednesday, with winds ramping up in the afternoon and conditions deteriorating overnight.
“If heading to the higher summits [Thursday and Friday], it will be essential to prepare for frigid wind chills, powerful winds, and snowy conditions,” stated the forecast.
Snow showers and sleets are expected on Mount Washington and other high summits tonight, accompanied by strong tropical storm-force winds. Winds will then shift and briefly decrease as a cold airmass moves in.
Snow is expected to fall at a moderate to heavy rate the rest of the night, with up to seven inches possible by Thursday morning.
Forecasters said winds will strengthen considerably Thursday morning, with sustained winds likely exceeding hurricane forece for a brief period, and gusts of well over 100 miles per hour are possible. (See what 100 mph winds do to a person on Mount Washington.)
Exposure risks will be significantly elevated on Thursday as temperatures drop into the lower teens in the morning and remain in the teens throughout the day, while wind chills may fall as low as 25 degrees below zero. Another one to three inches of snow are possible Thursday.
Winds are expected to weaken Thursday night, but temperatures will likely remain well below the seasonal average. Temperatures are expected in the single digits Friday morning.
