A major winter storm brought a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to New Hampshire from the morning of December 11th to the morning of December 12th.  The greatest impact in the state was in southern and central New Hampshire where a significant ice storm occurred.  Following the ice storm, recovery and restoration efforts were negatively impacted by additional winter weather events that passed through the state.
The ice storm was caused by an area of low pressure that moved northeastward along a stalled frontal boundary off the East Coast.  Near ground level, cold air from eastern Canada funneled southward into the region on northerly winds.  Southerly winds at higher levels of the atmosphere brought warmer (above freezing) air in aloft.  Across southern and central New Hampshire, the thermal structure of the atmosphere was conducive to produce freezing rain and sleet.   A mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain began Thursday morning across the state. However, as the northerly winds strengthened at the surface and southerly winds strengthened aloft, the precipitation changed to mostly a mix of sleet and freezing rain in southern and central New Hampshire.  The freezing rain and sleet continued overnight and into Friday morning before ending.  While ���melted��� precipitation amounts across the southern and central part of the state ranged from 1 to 3 inches, ice accretion to trees and wires in these areas generally ranged from about a half inch to about an inch.  The weight of the ice caused branches to snap, and trees to either snap or uproot, and brought down power lines and poles across the region.  About 400 thousand utility customers lost power during the event, with some customers without power for two weeks.  Property damage across northern, central and southeastern New Hampshire was estimated at over $5 million.

Ice Storm in COASTAL ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 326.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in BELKNAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 359.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.58M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in STRAFFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.46K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in SULLIVAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 786.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN COOS, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 110.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in NORTHERN COOS, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 55.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in NORTHERN GRAFTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in SOUTHERN GRAFTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 225.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 1.62M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in NORTHERN CARROLL, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice Storm in SOUTHERN CARROLL, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 11-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 166.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter