If you’re new to the area, considering moving here, or planning a snowy getaway, you might be preparing to spend a winter in New Hampshire. Since NH is up in the northeastern United States, we experience a long-lasting winter wonderland.
Winter has beauty and charm, but not without its challenges. Here’s what you can expect from a New Hampshire winter and how to best prepare for the chilliest days of the year!
What to Expect out of Winter in New Hampshire
Here’s what you can generally expect from a New Hampshire winter:
- Plenty of winter storms that will keep you on your toes.
- Your neighbors will be preparing for the storms, and you should too.
- The snow gets very deep. This leads to both lots of fun and lots of chores.
- It’s crucial to know how to deal with icy conditions.
- Prep for a potential power outage.
- Find your light in dark winter times.
- Take advantage of solar heating methods.
- Make sure your heating methods at home are ready to go.
- New Hampshirites are great sports. You’ll still find friends out and about on the coldest of days.
Winter Storms
One aspect of winter in New Hampshire you’ll get used to is the frequent winter storms. These range from a couple hours of moderate snow precipitation to days of blizzards. During a winter storm’s wrath, you may encounter freezing temperatures, deep snow, power outages, blocked roads, and more.
It’s important to know the safety tips that come along with harsh winter weather. These include fire safety, gas appliance safety, electrical safety, and frozen pipe prevention. Staying informed on these things makes dealing with a New Hampshire winter storm much easier!
How to Prep for a New Hampshire Winter Storm
It’s not unusual to see the grocery stores crowded in the days leading up to a big winter storm. Since the snow piles up high, the driving conditions after a storm aren’t ideal. The best policy is to stock up on your essentials before the snow hits so you’re not stuck and snowed in.
If you park your car outdoors, make sure your windshield wipers are sticking out. No one wants to rip frozen wipers off of their windshield!
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow…
You’ve heard it already… here in New Hampshire, we have some serious snow.
That pristine powder covering the pines is a beautiful sight to see. Luckily, there is a lot of it! In fact, New Hampshire has the 3rd most snowfall in the United States, following Vermont and Maine. We get an average of 71.44 inches every season!
That’s why, again, if you park your car outside, you might want to grab your brush (and shovel) and set aside some quality time in the morning to clear all that snow.
… And Ice
You’ll definitely want your snow boots for this one. Boots with a good grip on the ground will help you from slipping and falling on the ice. It also helps to hobble along like a penguin.
Plenty of salt on your driveway and path to the front door will come in handy when the temperatures drop to freezing and ice forms on the pavement.
You May Experience a Power Outage
With intense winter weather, a power outage or two might occur. In fact, more power outages occur in winter weather because the winds, ice, and snow put extra stress on power lines. On top of this, more people are using electricity, which is extra stressful on the grid.
Because of this, you might want to invest in a backup generator, have a non-electric heat source at the ready, and/or find other creative ways to beat the cold, even if your power goes out.
Find a Light Source
The sun goes down earlier in the winter, shortening up the days. It’s important to set the lighting mood in your home to keep you cheery and cozy on a dark winter’s day. Use warm bulbs and strategically place them until your heart’s content. And if the power goes out, have some flashlights and candles ready to go, too.
If Possible, Take Advantage of Passive Solar Heat
While we rely on our heating systems for a majority of our house’s warmth, passive solar heat is a smart way to save on energy and make your home more comfortable. If you’re building or buying a house, keep that in mind during your search- it could result in a warmer home each winter. What you can do now is locate the windows in your home that are facing south and open those blinds. Take advantage of every sunny day and soak it up!
New Hampshire Residents are Strong
You’ll notice that New Hampshire residents are strong throughout a long winter.
One of the best winter activities in New Hampshire is a simple walk on fresh snow. In the calm after the storm, you’ll still find New Hampshirites out and about. In such a chilly climate, residents are resilient and always up for the challenge, winter after winter. There’s a lot of beauty to behold in a New Hampshire winter, so go out there and experience it for yourself!
Make Sure Your Home Heating System is Ready
One of the most important ways to prep for winter in New Hampshire is by prepping your heating system. It’s essential to get yearly maintenance on your heating appliances so they don’t break down on you when you need them the most. Before the weather starts getting chilly, give your local professional a call!
Whether you’re ready to install a new heating system or need maintenance on your older one, Live Free Heating & Cooling in New Hampshire has you covered. Contact us today for a free estimate!
Recent Comments