High Wind — Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

2019-02-25 to 2019-02-26 · Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

Event narrative

Winds began to increase early in the morning of the 25th as cold air advection developed behind a cold front. After daybreak winds increased sharply and continued through the day. The most intense burst of winds came in the late afternoon and early evening. This is when Portsmouth International Airport at Pease measured a 61 mph gust. In addition trees and wires were down as well as some minor structural damage to roofs and siding occurred.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system moved through the Great Lakes on the 24th and 25th, with central pressure falling into the low 970s mb by the time it reached Quebec. As strong high pressure built down through the Canadian Prairies an intense pressure gradient developed between the two features. This led to strong winds and wind gusts all across the Northeast, with the mountains and southern New Hampshire hit hardest locally.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 801379. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.