If you’ve ever stood on the edge of Bow Lake in the dead of winter, you know that "cold" is a relative term. In Strafford, it’s a lifestyle. Honestly, most people from outside the Seacoast or the Lakes Region think New Hampshire weather is just one big, blurry block of snow from November to April. They’re kinda wrong.
The weather for Strafford NH is a fickle beast, shaped by the rolling hills of Strafford County and the way the wind whips off the water. Right now, we’re looking at a classic mid-January stretch. As of Friday night, January 16, 2026, it’s 19°F out there. But because the wind is coming out of the southwest at 4 mph, it actually feels more like 13°F. That’s the "feels like" temperature that’ll get you if you step out to get the mail in just a sweatshirt. It's cloudy, quiet, and perfectly still.
The Immediate Forecast: Snow is Coming
Don't let the 19°F fool you into thinking it's a dry cold. Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, is looking like a mess. We’re expecting a high of 32°F, which is basically the freezing point sweet spot for heavy, wet snow.
The chance of precipitation is sitting at 65% during the day. We aren't talking about a dusting here; local estimates for the Bow Lake Village area suggest we might see 1 to 3 inches of accumulation by the time the sun goes down. Humidity is going to spike to 90%. That’s that "bone-chilling" dampness that makes 32°F feel way worse than a crisp, dry 10°F day.
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By Sunday, the high stays around 31°F, but the clouds aren't going anywhere. It’s going to be one of those grey, New England weekends where the sky looks like a dirty fleece blanket.
Why Strafford Hits Differently
People always ask why Strafford seems to get hit harder than Dover or Rochester. It’s the elevation and the inland gap. You’ve got the Blue Hills (Mount Blue Job and Parker Mountain) acting like a speed bump for weather systems. Sometimes they trap the cold air in the valleys, leading to that nasty ice we saw back in the 2008 ice storm or the more recent scares in 2023.
Honestly, the "January Thaw" is a myth half the time here. While some years see a spike into the 40s, the historical average high for January in Strafford is only 29°F. We are currently tracking slightly below that for the next week.
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The Week Ahead: An Arctic Punch
If you think Saturday's snow is the main event, wait for Tuesday. The temperature is going to crater. We're looking at a high of only 19°F and a low of 7°F. By next Sunday, January 25, the forecast is calling for a high of 10°F and a low of 0°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Mostly cloudy, high of 27°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny but frigid, high of 19°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Cloudy, high of 26°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: Snow showers return, high of 33°F.
That Thursday "warm-up" to 33°F is going to feel like a tropical vacation compared to the zero-degree nights coming later in the month.
Driving on Strafford Roads
Strafford doesn't have a massive DPW fleet like Manchester. If you're driving on Route 126 or Route 202A during tomorrow's snow, you need to be smart.
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Forget the old "10 and 2" hand position on the steering wheel. Experts at the New Hampshire Driving Academy now suggest 9 and 3 because of how airbags deploy. Also, if you hit a patch of black ice near the bridge at Bow Lake, don't slam the brakes. If you have ABS, hold the pressure steady. If you don't, pump them gently.
Basically, just slow down. Most accidents in Strafford during January happen because people assume their 4WD makes them invincible. It doesn't.
Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours
You’ve got a window of time before the snow hits tomorrow afternoon and the deep freeze begins on Tuesday. Here is how to handle the current weather for Strafford NH:
- Top off the fluids: Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is rated for -20°F. The cheap stuff will freeze in the lines when we hit that 0°F mark next week.
- Check the exhaust: With snow coming Saturday night, ensure your tailpipe stays clear. If you get stuck and run the engine for heat, carbon monoxide can back up into the cabin if the pipe is buried in a drift.
- Draft proofing: Since humidity is going to drop to 30% by next Sunday during the cold snap, your house will feel draftier. Check the seals on your windows now.
- Emergency kit: Keep a real blanket—not a thin emergency one—in the trunk. If you slide off a road like Province Rd at night, it could be a while before a tow truck reaches you.
The reality is that Strafford is beautiful in the winter, but it's a place that demands respect. Watch the Saturday snow, stay off the roads if you can, and get the woodstove or the furnace ready for the sub-zero nights coming your way.