Honestly, if you’re living in or just passing through Newton, New Hampshire, you probably think you’ve got the weather figured out. It’s New England, right? Cold winters, humid summers, and a lot of mud in between. But there’s a specific brand of unpredictability here in Rockingham County that catches even the long-timers off guard.
Take today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. We’re sitting right in the middle of that classic January "freeze-and-thaw" cycle. Right now, it’s 33°F outside. It feels like 28°F because of a light southwest wind pushing through at about 5 mph. We’ve got light snow showers coming down, and the humidity is high at 83%. It’s that damp, New Hampshire cold that manages to find its way under your jacket no matter how many layers you’ve got on.
The Reality of January in Newton
Basically, Newton in January is a game of temperature chicken. Today’s high is expected to hit 35°F, which sounds almost reasonable until you realize the low is dipping back to 26°F tonight.
The clouds are heavy. We’re looking at a 25% chance of snow during the day, which bumps up to a 45% chance once the sun goes down. It’s not a "stock up on bread and milk" kind of blizzard, but it’s enough to make the backroads slick. If you’ve spent any time on Route 108 during a light dusting, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
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Seasonal Shifts and Misconceptions
People always talk about the "average" weather, but averages are kinda misleading in a town like Newton.
- The Freeze: Our coldest month is usually January, with highs hovering around 35°F and lows dropping to 21°F.
- The Heat: July hits hard with an average high of 81°F, but it’s the 63°F lows that give you that brief window of sleepable weather.
- The Humidity: We peak at about 54% overcast or mostly cloudy skies in May, which is basically the "Gray Month" before the summer humidity really kicks in.
Why Newton NH Weather Still Matters for Your Weekend
Most people assume the "best" time to be here is mid-summer. Statistically, the tourism score peaks from late June to mid-September. But honestly? September is the sleeper hit. It’s the clearest month of the year. You get clear or partly cloudy skies about 62% of the time.
If you’re planning anything outdoors, you've gotta watch the "wet day" probability. In Newton, the highest chance of getting rained on is actually late May—specifically May 30, where the chance of a wet day hits 34%. Compare that to late January, where the chance of precipitation is at its annual low of 23%.
Newton's Climate Profile
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Temp | 33°F |
| Wind | 5 mph Southwest |
| High Today | 35°F |
| Tonight's Low | 26°F |
| Precipitation Chance | 25% Day / 45% Night |
What Really Happened With Our Recent Storms
We can't talk about weather for Newton NH without mentioning the Nor'easters. They are the boogeyman of Rockingham County. While coastal towns like Portsmouth get the brunt of the flooding, Newton gets that heavy, wet snow that snaps branches and kills power lines.
Historical data shows we’re in a Zone 6a hardiness area, meaning temperatures can drop as low as -10°F. That’s rare, but when the polar vortex wobbles, it’s a real possibility. We’ve seen major winter storms in recent years—like the January 2018 Nor'easter—that dumped over a foot of snow across the region and brought hurricane-force wind gusts to the coast. Newton usually ends up in that "snow-to-ice" transition zone, which is arguably the worst place to be for your driveway.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Newton’s Skies
If you're dealing with today's light snow showers and the upcoming week, here's what you actually need to do:
- Watch the Dew Point: When humidity hits 83% like it has today, the air feels much colder than the thermometer says. Trust the "feels like" temp of 28°F.
- Nighttime Precautions: Since the chance of snow jumps to 45% tonight, assume any slush on the roads will be solid ice by 6:00 AM tomorrow when the temp hits 26°F.
- Check the Southwest Wind: A southwest wind often brings in slightly warmer air, which is why we’re seeing "light showers" and snow today instead of a dry powder. It makes for heavy shoveling.
- Plan for Spring: If you’re a gardener, remember the last frost date for Newton usually falls between May 1 and May 10. Don't get fooled by a warm April week.
Keep an eye on the sky today. Those light snow showers are pretty, but they’re a reminder that in Newton, the weather is always doing a bit more than it lets on at first glance.