The Climate of New Hampshire

By | August 27, 2022

According to Abbreviation Finder, the state of New Hampshire (NH) is located in the northeast of the US. This state, belonging to the New England region, consists largely of hilly to mountainous area and borders Canada on the north, Maine on the east, Massachusetts on the south and Vermont on the west. The border with Vermontis formed by the Connecticut River, which ensures that – unlike many other borders between US states – there is no border here that shows on a map as an almost straight line. In New Hampshire you will find many forests, which mainly consist of conifers, thanks to the temperate continental climate. The White Mountains mountain region is mainly forested. The “White” in the name refers to the light color of the granite that makes up the mountains.

In the winter months, the state of New Hampshire often looks white because of the snowfall. The winters are cool to sometimes very cold, with regular snowfall, which also has a reasonable chance of staying for a longer period of time. Especially the higher areas of New Hampshire can be white for weeks. The state’s highest mountain, Mount Washington, is often white for months in the winter, with huge amounts of snow falling on average. In total there is an average of 600 to 900 centimeters(!) of snow in winter, which is good for a pack of snow that can rise to meters in height. In the winter season 1968-1969, a record amount of snow of no less than 1438.7 centimeters was recorded; that’s almost fifty feet of snow. A curious record that was also held by Mount Washington is the highest recorded speed of a wind gust. On April 12, 1934, a wind speed of 372 kilometers per hour was measured, a world record that was only broken in 1996 by Cyclone Olivia (408 km/h in Australia).

New Hampshire has a mix of terrestrial climates (humid continental – type Dfb) and an alpine climate in the highest peaks of the White Mountains. The cool winters in the lower areas alternate with warm summers, where the thermometer can sometimes rise well above thirty degrees. Precipitation is approximately evenly distributed throughout the year, most of it in the form of snow in the winter months.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

maximum temperature minimum temperature hours of sunshine per day days of rainfall per month
January -1℃ -12℃ 5 11
February 1℃ -11℃ 6 9
March 7℃ -5℃ 7 12
April 14℃ 0℃ 7 12
May 21℃ 6℃ 8 12
June 26℃ 11℃ 9 12
July 28℃ 14℃ 9 11
August 27℃ 13℃ 8 10
September 22℃ 8℃ 7 10
October 16℃ 2℃ 6 10
November 9℃ -2℃ 4 11
December 2℃ -9℃ 4 11

The climate of Berlin

Berlin is located in the north of the US state of New Hampshire, on the Androscoggin River. Berlin is nestled against the White Mountains, right where the White Mountain National Forest begins. The city is at the center of a number of national parks and forests. This region has traditionally thrived on logging, although it is now increasingly restricted. Berlin is a small city, with just over 10,000 inhabitants.

Berlin has a humid continental climate, with cold snowy winters and mild pleasant but wet summers. The rainy season is fairly evenly distributed here and in the coldest months of the year precipitation will usually come down as snow. There is a distinct difference between the four seasons, with spring and fall serving as transitional seasons.

The climate of Concord

According to Countryaah, Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the northeastern US. Concord has a humid continental climate of the Dfb type according to the Köppen climate classification, with cool to sometimes even seriously cold winters and warm summers. In addition, the average maximum temperature of 27-28 degrees Celsius is not much lower than that of some areas along the Mediterranean Sea. In winter, the temperature often remains below freezing at night and during the day. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Concord is minus 38 degrees, the highest is a whopping 39 degrees Celsius. Precipitation falls all year round in Concord, with winters mainly dealing with snow and summers with rain. There is an average of 70 to 80 millimeters per month.

The climate of Dover

Dover is located in the east of the state of New Hampshire, just far from the Atlantic Ocean. Dover is the largest city in this region. Dover is also the oldest city in the state of New Hampshire and is one of the ten oldest cities in the US and dates back to the early 17th century. Because of this, the city also has a more extensive past than most places in America. Dover is located on the rivers Cochecho and Bellamy, which in ancient times provided the power supply to Dover.

Dover has a humid continental climate, with a clear distinction between the four seasons. The summers are mild without getting really hot, the winters can be very cold and the snowfall during this period is very changeable from year to year. The rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The strong northeasterly wind that blows here regularly can have a negative effect on the climate in Dover.

The climate of Manchester

Manchester is located in the north of the state of New Hampshire, not far from the capital Concord. Manchester is located on the Merrimack and Piscataquog rivers. With nearly 110,000 inhabitants, Manchester is the largest city in the state of New Hampshire and one of the fastest growing cities in the New England region. The city has a number of beautiful museums and a theatre, but the library from the beginning of the last century is a sight to see.

Manchester has a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and sunny but humid summers. There is a clear difference between the four seasons, with autumn and spring being the clear transitional seasons. The snowfall in the winter period can vary greatly from year to year.

The climate of Nashua

Nashua is located in the far north of New Hampshire, not far from the Massachusetts border. Nashua is located on the Merrimack River and the Nashua flows through the city. Nashua is the second largest city in the state in terms of population. Due to its location not far from Boston, the city is economically on the rise and is therefore very attractive to live in. The city has already twice been voted the best place to live in America.

Nashua has a humid continental climate, characterized by mild but wet summers and harsh, cold winters. Because of this, the climate of Nashua has a clear difference between the four seasons. The amount of snow that is almost always present during the winters can vary greatly from year to year.

Nashua New Hampshire