Winter Wonderland Arrives Early: Unpacking New Hampshire's First Major Snowfall of December

Well, folks, it looks like winter decided to make an early, grand entrance this December 2nd, 2025! For many of us here in the Granite State, it was truly a sight to behold – waking up to a pristine, white blanket covering everything. This wasn't just a dusting, oh no; we're talking about a proper, significant snow event that left its mark, and thankfully, for the most part, it brought with it that magical, cozy feeling rather than pure chaos. Of course, a little shoveling was certainly on the agenda for just about everyone!

The storm, which rolled in overnight and continued through the early morning hours, brought wildly different totals depending on where you were standing. It's always fascinating, isn't it, how one side of a hill can get twice as much as the other? That's New Hampshire weather for you – always full of delightful surprises, or sometimes, a bit of a head-scratcher when you're comparing notes with a friend just a few towns over.

Let's dive into some of the reported snow totals from around the state. Unsurprisingly, the higher elevations and northern regions really got hammered. Mount Washington, true to form, once again claimed bragging rights with an astonishing 26 inches reported at its summit. Down below, but still very much in the thick of it, towns like Pinkham Notch and Crawford Notch saw impressive accumulations hovering around the 20 to 22-inch mark. That's a serious amount of snow, perfect for those eagerly awaiting ski season, don't you think?

Moving southward, the central part of the state also got a generous helping. Concord, our state capital, measured in at a respectable 14 inches, transforming its historic streets into a picturesque postcard scene. Just a bit east, Rochester and Dover weren't far behind, with reports of 12 to 13 inches, making for some beautiful, if slightly slushy, morning commutes.

As you head towards the more densely populated southern tier, the totals began to taper off a little, but certainly still amounted to a significant snowfall. Manchester recorded a solid 10 inches across most neighborhoods, meaning plenty of shoveling and perhaps a few snowball fights for the kids. Nashua residents woke up to about 8 inches, which is still quite a substantial amount, wouldn't you agree? Even down near the Seacoast, which sometimes gets a rain-snow mix, towns like Portsmouth and Hampton saw a lovely 6 to 7 inches of accumulation, enough to truly brighten the coastal landscape.

So, there you have it. New Hampshire's December 2nd snow event proved to be a classic early-season storm, reminding us all that winter is indeed here. Whether you loved it or you're already dreaming of spring, one thing's for sure: it certainly made for some memorable photos and a whole lot of cleared driveways. Stay warm, stay safe, and perhaps, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while gazing at our beautiful, snow-covered state!