New Hampshire’s Weather: A Battle Between Extremes and Climate Change
New Hampshire’s weather is known for its rapid shifts, from heatwaves to downpours. Last summer witnessed record-breaking heat, while forecasts for this year predict cooler temperatures and increased precipitation. State climatologist Mary Stampone attributes this variability to the state’s unique geography, influenced by air from the northwestern Atlantic, the south, and the west.
Despite natural fluctuations, trends indicate that climate change is intensifying weather extremes. As fossil fuel consumption rises, it contributes additional energy to the atmosphere, amplifying both heat and precipitation events. Stampone noted, “The hotter weather gets hotter, the wetter weather gets wetter,” underscoring the link between climate change and the increasing frequency of weather extremes.
Analysis reveals a rising trend in temperatures, with more days exceeding 90 degrees and nights above 70. This shift, tracked statistically, illustrates a climate-modified reality for New Hampshire.
The state faces a dual threat: while annual precipitation is on the rise, its concentration, especially in winter, poses challenges. Summer rains are becoming more scarce and intense, leading to potential drought conditions. “Soils will dry out in between,” Stampone explained, emphasizing the risk of runoff during heavy rain instead of replenishing groundwater.
New Hampshire must prepare for increasingly irregular water supplies, adapting to the reality of a hotter, wetter climate, which presents significant challenges for its residents and ecosystems.
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