Pre-Christmas storm: Seacoast NH, Maine brace for heavy rain, flooding, power outages

Staff report
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH — A pre-Christmas storm is expected to bring high winds, power outages and heavy rain to Seacoast New Hampshire and southern York County in Maine, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm system is expected to hit harder in other parts of the country with blizzard conditions and heavy snow expected in many states.

New Hampshire and Maine, however, can expect 1-2 inches of snow in northern areas and rain elsewhere, including the Seacoast, beginning Thursday night, according to Stephen Baron, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. The northern areas will see rain, too, after the initial snow, he added.

The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, is forecasting between 2 and 4 inches of rain across New Hampshire and Maine.
The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, is forecasting between 2 and 4 inches of rain across New Hampshire and Maine.

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There is expected to be about 3-4 inches of rain in central New Hampshire and Maine and 2-3 inches of rain on the Seacoast, falling from Thursday night until about daybreak Saturday, according to Baron. He said the rest of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Saturday and Sunday) will be sunny and cold with high temperatures in the 20s. A "shot of cold air" could bring a little snow at the end of the storm early Saturday, he said.

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Flooding and power outages biggest concerns in Seacoast NH and southern Maine

Coastal flooding is a significant concern on the Seacoast, according to Baron. He noted strong winds are expected to coincide Friday with an astronomical high tide, which is expected to peak in Hampton around mid-day.

Wind gusts are expected to reach 55-65 mph on the Seacoast and 44-55 mph inland in both New Hampshire and Maine, he said.

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Utility companies have announced they are preparing for the storm, which closely follows one earlier this month in which tens of thousands of people lost power, mostly away from the Seacoast area.

Eversource announced its customers are "encouraged to prepare for the storm by assembling or restocking a storm kit which should include essentials like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable foods, pet food and any needed medications. In addition, make sure cell phones and devices are fully charged, create an emergency plan with family members and prepare to check on elderly neighbors and friends."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH, Maine: Rain, wind, power outages expected in storm