New Hampshire Weather (Portsmouth, Hampton, Exeter: real estate, home, public schools)

[GregW]

Except that the cold is beginning to cause my knee and shoulder joints to hurt, I do like NH weather. I also appreciate not having tornados, earthquakes and severe droughts. Actually, I did feel an earthquake in NH a long time ago.

[Verseau]

There was a magnitude 5.1 earthquake centered in Upstate NY back in April 2002 that was felt throughout New Hampshire. I remember that clearly, because our whole house shook. I don't think it caused much if any damage, though.

Fortunately, though, extreme weather events are very rare in NH. The small, isolated tornadoes last summer were highly unusual, as were the few hailstorms across the state. We have had a few flooding incidents over the past few years (the worst being May 2006), but the areas seriously affected were fairly small. The flooding here was absolutely nothing like you see in other parts of the country.

The only "extreme" weather event we get routinely is blizzards, nor'easters, etc. But generally these cause little in the way of damage compared to other extreme weather events, like the ice storms of 1998 and 2008.

I live in the middle of the state, so I can give you an idea of what "average" NH weather is like. In my neck of the woods, winter high temperatures are usually in the upper 20s and 30s with overnight lows in the teens and single digits (and the occasional dip below zero). Snowfall occurs throughout winter and we usually don't see bare ground between December and March, sometimes April.

The end of March typically marks the beginning of the spring "thaw" when temperatures climb towards the upper 40s. April sees highs move rapidly towards the 50s and 60s, although the weather in this month can be particularly erratic -- a snowfall in early April is not unusual, nor is a freak 80- or 90-degree day at the end of the month. In May we often have high temps in the 60s and 70s, and all the greenery explodes into life within a matter of a couple of weeks. It's one of my favorite times of year.

June usually begins with average highs in the low 70s and moves towards hotter summer highs in the low 80s, although this year we've been stuck in an abnormally cool pattern. July averages highs in the upper 70s and low-to-mid 80s, although heat waves do bring days in the 90s. Some days are very humid, some days are pleasantly dry, some days have thunderstorms. August weather is similar but begins to cool off slightly at the end of the month. Summer nights are nice and cool, with typical lows in the 60s and 50s.

September begins with warm days, highs in the 70s and gradually moves towards the upper 60s. Nights get colder as well. The first traces of color in the trees appears at the end of the month. October typically has pleasant highs in the upper 60s in the beginning of the month and upper 50s at the end of the month. The trees explode in color and usually peak right around the middle of October. By November, the foliage is mostly brown and highs slip down into the 40s. An overnight dusting of snow is possible.

[fishnfool]

Anyone else feeling like they live in the pacific northwest for the last month? Seriously....June has been lousy.

[Verseau]

Actually, I thought the first week of June was wonderful, at least in my area. Mostly sunny and temps in the upper 60s and 70s. The crappy weather didn't start until the 9th, but at least we got a break yesterday and Tuesday afternoon.

According to the forecasts, we're in for a big warmup next week.

[fishnfool]

I was working in RI the first week of June. Since I've been back it's been raining, overcast, and chilly all but 3 days. Last Saturday and Tues Wed. of this week were great and I got a lot of fishing in. That said....looking ahead it's another straight week of continuous rain

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Verseau

According to the forecasts, we're in for a big warmup next week.

That does not sound good. Hopefully it will still cool off nicely at night.

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by fishnfool

Anyone else feeling like they live in the pacific northwest for the last month? Seriously....June has been lousy.

Get ready for more. Rain forecast for every day next week.

[StAcKhOuSe]

Originally Posted by OCCASparky

Funny, I thought the four seasons were:

Winter
Still Winter
Almost Winter
Road Construction

That being said, it has been very mild this year so far.

mild? dude are u kidding me?? it was practically below zero the whole winter at night!

[OCCASparky]

Yes, mild, as in, "cooler than normal".

[Aptor hours]

I can't believe how cold it is..ugg and rainy although at least it isn't snow I am thinking I will never be able to wear my summer dresses without a sweater