Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away

2016-08-11 16:21:45.000 – Mike Carmon, Senior Weather Observer & Education Specialist

When’s the last time you’ve observed a long, multi-day, soaking rain? If you live in New Hampshire, it’s probably difficult to remember!

It’s been an exceptionally dry 2016 across the state of New Hampshire. This began with the well-below-average snowfall this winter across almost the entirety of the northeastern United States. Here on Mount Washington, our winter season came in nearly 6-and-a-half feet below normal for snowfall. This distinct lack of snowfall results in a below-average snow-melt, kicking the spring and summer season off on the wrong foot.

Since the turn of the seasons from the meager winter of 2016, prolonged and gradual rainfall events have been hard to come by across the state of New Hampshire. There have been several rounds of thunderstorms harboring torrential downpours, although those quick bursts of heavy rain quickly run off before being absorbed fully into the soil.

Turning the calendar page into August, and the southern third of the state of New Hampshire are now officially experiencing a severe drought. In the White Mountain region and northward into the north country, a drought is not in effect, although “abnormally dry” conditions are persisting across these regions.

However, some help is on the way! The stubborn upper-level ridge stationed over the eastern two-third of the United States in combination with a moist, southerly flow has allowed an abundance of moisture to come surging northward into the northeastern United States. This has resulted in exceptionally muggy conditions today (Thursday), but will also set the stage for a weekend of soaking rains.

Commencing tomorrow, several inches of rain is expected, particularly across northern New Hampshire. In addition, the potential for thunderstorms is in the forecast commencing tomorrow and lasting through the duration of the weekend.

 Expected rainfall totals from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. 

Mike Carmon, Senior Weather Observer & Education Specialist