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Almost all of the Excessive Heat Watches have now been converted to Extreme Heat Warnings - Find all of the details here.
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"If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether
and have an extra July instead." - Roald Dahl
Today’s Weather at a Glance
Updated Every Morning and as Needed Through the Day
(Averages Across Southern NH)
98Degrees
High Temperature
0%
Probability of Precipitation - Daytime
75Degrees
Low Temperature
0%
Probability of Precipitation - Nighttime
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Today in Peterborough, NH at a Glance
Today in Nashua, NH at a Glance
Your Daily Forecast - Three Days at a Time
Exccessive Heat Warnings are active. Find the details here.
Monday/Monday Night - July 6
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Tuesday/Tuesday Night - July 7
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Wednesday/Wednesday Night - July 8
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Thursday/Thursday Night - July 2
Nashua - East
Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Heat index values as high as 109. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Clear, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph.
Peterborough - Central/West
Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 104. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.
Mostly clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Friday/Friday Night - July 3
Nashua - East
Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly clear, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Peterborough - Central/West
Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 100. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly clear, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday/Saturday Night - July 4
Nashua - East
A 30 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Peterborough - Central/West
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Sunday/Sunday Night - July 5
Nashua - East
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Peterborough - Central/West
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Current Weather Readings in Peterborough, NH
Time of the readings below: 2 Jul 2026 12:55 PM
(FYI: The number in parentheses is the change in the last hour)
(Note: My weather Instruments are Offline from Midnight Wednesday to 7AM Thursday for system Back ups.)
Current Temperature:
89.3°F (3.2)
High Temperature:
89.3 at 12:55 PM
Low Temperature:
69.9 at 6:13 AM
Precipitation Today:
0.11 inches
Current Dewpoint:
74.0°F (1.1)
Highest Heat Index Reading:
99.6 at 12:38 PM
Current Windspeed:
0 MPH (-1)
Barometric Trend:
Steady
Hours of Daylight Today:
15:16
Link to my Active Weather Instruments
Information for New England
Seven Day Temperature Outlook - Manchester NH & Southern New England
Current Northeast Radar
Expected Temperature Range
Health - The Five Day Allergy Outlook for Southern NH
Rich's Weather Discussion
New Hampshire/North Briefing
Massachusetts/South Briefing
At this moment: 7/02 - 7:36 AM
Notes from Rich:
What is the 'Regular’ Schedule.
Weekdays: Morning updates each day before 8AM, Evening Updates before 7PM.
On Weekends: Perhaps a bit later. I like to sleep in.
Every Thursday morning I post the daily forecast through the weekend.
Upcoming Site Update Schedule Changes:
July 2nd: The evening update will be later than usual. Might be missed completely. Otherwise, most of the holiday updates should be in their regular timeframes. There will be NO Thursday night Weekend Outlook e-mail this week. Even I get some time off!
We had a bunch of thunderstorms roll through southern NH around midnight last night. There continues to be a chance of thunderstorms every day during this heat wave. Today should be the worst day in terms of heat, but the heat wave does continue into Friday. Even Saturday looks hot and humid. We drop below heat wave criteria come Sunday. I have populated the daily forecast through the weekend.
Dangerous heat will continue through at least Friday across much of New Hampshire and western Maine, with afternoon temperatures well into the 90s and a few locations in southeastern New Hampshire possibly reaching 100 degrees. Heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees or higher will make outdoor activities hazardous. A few isolated thunderstorms could become strong or severe today, producing damaging wind gusts. The intense heat will gradually ease late Friday into the weekend as a cold front approaches, although scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain possible into the middle of next week.
Check out the enhanced "Todays Weather at a Glance" section above.
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What information can you find on my site, and where is it?
The History Section has a lot of history to share, and I will be sharing video on this page from time to time. Updated every day with new weather history.
Find beach and hiking, and Ski information as well as travel info for the USA in the Travel and Leisure Section.
Find all Tropical Tracking/Hurricane information on the Tropics Page.
Find the current Drought Maps here. Now showing a map for each New England State.
Looking for Radar? Try the Radar Page.
Looking for Weather News from Across the globe, plus more local weather info? Look here.
Note: When you move your cursor over an image, the image fades. Click on the image and that opens a lightbox view that expands the image and allows you to click through all of the images in a section.
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On this day in history:
On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved Richard Henry Lee's resolution declaring the American colonies independent from Great Britain. The vote cleared the way for the Declaration of Independence, which Congress formally adopted two days later, on July 4.
Latest site updates and additions:
Find the June Almanac Here
Hurricane Season began on June 1st - Details and forecasts can be found here.
06/01 - Find the Mosquito Outlook in the Heath Section.
05/02 - Find the Summer 2026 Outlook for the USA here.
05/01 - The Hampton Beach Report returns! Updated daily.
In the Health Section above, starting April 7, you will find the Allergy Forecasts for Southern NH.
You can find my weather Reading via Weather Underground here: Peterborough, NH Readings
Catch Weather News Headlines and links here.
I have updated Rain/Snowfall totals here.
Drought information updates every Other Thursday evening. Last update: 06/27 - Next Update: 07/10 (or thereabouts)
Weather Summaries and Full Area Forecast Discussions - North (Edited)
Summary - Northern New England - New Hampshire and Maine
Summary:
Dangerous heat will continue through at least Friday across much of New Hampshire and western Maine, with afternoon temperatures well into the 90s and a few locations in southeastern New Hampshire possibly reaching 100 degrees. Heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees or higher will make outdoor activities hazardous. A few isolated thunderstorms could become strong or severe today, producing damaging wind gusts. The intense heat will gradually ease late Friday into the weekend as a cold front approaches, although scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain possible into the middle of next week.
Key Messages:
- Heat continues to build and will linger through at least Friday. The overall heat forecast remains on track, with only minor adjustments to temperatures and heat index values.
- Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms remain possible today, Level 1 of 5 risk for severe weather.
- The ridge responsible for the extreme heat begins to weaken late Friday through the weekend, allowing temperatures to trend downward. Chances for showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast into the middle of next week.
What has changed since the last Forecast Update?
No major changes were needed with this update. The latest observations were blended into the forecast, and the aviation discussion was updated.
What this means for you:
If you spend time outdoors today or Friday, limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks in air conditioning or shade. Overnight temperatures will remain unusually warm, providing little relief from the heat. Stay alert for isolated thunderstorms this afternoon, as a few could produce damaging winds despite being scattered. More comfortable air will slowly return this weekend, but occasional showers and thunderstorms will still be possible.
Click the Open/Close Button to Display the Full Edited Area Forecast Discussion
**Area Forecast Discussion**
**National Weather Service Gray ME**
**635 AM EDT Thursday, July 2, 2026**
**What Has Changed**
No major changes were needed with this update. The latest observations were blended into the forecast, and the aviation discussion was updated.
**Key Messages**
1. Heat continues to build and will linger through at least Friday. The overall heat forecast remains on track, with only minor adjustments to temperatures and heat index values.
2. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms remain possible today, Level 1 of 5 risk for severe weather.
3. The ridge responsible for the extreme heat begins to weaken late Friday through the weekend, allowing temperatures to trend downward. Chances for showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast into the middle of next week.
**Discussion**
**Key Message 1**
The hottest weather of this stretch will occur today and Friday. Temperatures several thousand feet above the ground, around the 850 millibar level, are expected to range from about 64 to 70 degrees. Meteorologists use this level to estimate the potential for surface temperatures.
Winds blowing from the west will travel downhill toward the coast, a process known as downslope warming. This naturally warms and dries the air while also preventing cooler sea breezes from moving inland.
As a result, most areas outside the mountains will reach the 90s, and parts of southeastern New Hampshire could reach 100 degrees if sunshine remains uninterrupted. Combined with dew points in the upper 60s to lower 70s, it will feel even hotter, with heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees or higher.
Very little cooling is expected tonight. Overnight lows will remain in the 70s outside the mountains, and some valleys in southeastern New Hampshire may not drop below 80 degrees.
**Key Message 2**
Another round of thunderstorms is possible today. These storms are expected to develop along the northern edge of the strong high pressure ridge, a pattern meteorologists sometimes refer to as ridge rollers.
Wind shear, the change in wind speed and direction with height, along with the larger scale lifting needed for widespread storm development, will remain fairly weak. That should limit how organized the storms become.
Humidity will be slightly lower than yesterday, and an elevated mixed layer, a warm layer of air above the surface that can influence thunderstorm development, is expected to move offshore.
Even so, the atmosphere will still contain enough energy for thunderstorms. Forecast instability, measured as CAPE, Convective Available Potential Energy, is expected to range from 1500 to 2500 joules per kilogram, which is sufficient to support stronger storms. The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts.
Storm development today could also influence how hot it becomes on Friday. If thunderstorms become more widespread or leave behind lingering cloud cover, some areas may not warm quite as much as currently forecast.
**Key Message 3**
Forecast models have slowed the arrival of the approaching cold front until later Friday or even Saturday. Regardless of the exact timing, the overall trend points toward more comfortable conditions.
Saturday will still be quite warm, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s, but it should not be as hot as today or Friday. Lower humidity will also keep heat index values much closer to the actual air temperature.
There is still uncertainty regarding how widespread showers and thunderstorms will become this weekend because it depends on the timing of the cold front. At this time, precipitation chances appear greatest on Saturday, while the threat on Sunday may shift south of the forecast area as the front settles farther south. Forecast confidence should improve over the next 24 hours as additional high resolution forecast guidance becomes available.
Long range forecast models continue to indicate that the strong ridge will give way to a broad trough, an extended area of lower pressure in the atmosphere, early next week. This pattern should continue the cooling trend while keeping chances for showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. Another warming trend may develop by the middle of next week as forecast models increasingly agree that another ridge could begin to build over the region.
Weather Summaries and Full Area Forecast Discussions - South (Edited)
Summary - Southern New England - Massachusetts/Northern CT/Rhode Island
Summary:
Dangerous heat will continue across southern New England through Saturday, with the worst conditions expected today and Friday. Afternoon heat index values will reach between 100 and 115 degrees, while overnight temperatures remain unusually warm, offering little relief. Although most locations will stay dry today, an isolated thunderstorm could quickly become severe if one develops. Thunderstorm chances increase Friday into Saturday as a cold front approaches, followed by much more comfortable temperatures for the first half of next week.
Key Messages:
- Dangerous prolonged heatwave continues through Sat July 4th. Afternoon heat index values of 100 to 115 degrees today and Friday, remaining 95 to over 100 degrees on Saturday. Little relief at night either.
- Low thunderstorm and severe weather probability today and tonight because of limited atmospheric forcing, but if isolated storms develop they could become severe. The thunderstorm and severe weather potential increases late Friday and or Saturday ahead of an approaching cold front.
- Relief from the heat with cooler, more seasonable temperatures returning for the first half of next week.
What has changed since the last Forecast Update?
No significant changes to the forecast.
What this means for you
This prolonged stretch of dangerous heat can quickly lead to heat related illness if precautions are not taken. Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of water, and spend time in air conditioned locations whenever possible. Check on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets, especially since overnight temperatures will remain unusually warm. If you have outdoor plans for the Independence Day holiday, keep an eye on the forecast because thunderstorms capable of damaging winds, torrential rainfall, street flooding, and dangerous lightning may develop late Friday or Saturday.
Click the Open/Close Button to Display the Full Edited Area Forecast Discussion
**Area Forecast Discussion**
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
714 AM EDT Thu Jul 2 2026
**What Has Changed**
No significant changes to the forecast.
**Key Messages**
* Dangerous prolonged heatwave continues through Sat July 4th. Afternoon heat index values of 100 to 115 degrees today and Friday, remaining 95 to over 100 degrees on Saturday. Little relief at night either.
* Low thunderstorm and severe weather probability today and tonight because of limited atmospheric forcing, but if isolated storms develop they could become severe. The thunderstorm and severe weather potential increases late Friday and or Saturday ahead of an approaching cold front.
* Relief from the heat with cooler, more seasonable temperatures returning for the first half of next week.
**Discussion**
**Key Message 1, Dangerous prolonged heatwave continues through Sat July 4th. Afternoon heat index values of 100 to 115 degrees today and Friday, remaining 95 to over 100 degrees on Saturday. Little relief at night either.**
The most dangerous part of this heatwave will occur today and Friday. Forecast guidance continues to show an exceptionally hot air mass over southern New England. Meteorologists examine temperatures at the 925 millibar level, about 2,500 feet above the ground, to measure the strength of the warm air. Those temperatures support afternoon highs between 97 and 103 degrees today under mostly sunny skies.
The combination of extreme heat and high humidity will make it feel even hotter. Heat index values, which combine air temperature and humidity to describe how hot it feels to the body, are expected to reach between 105 and 115 degrees this afternoon.
Friday will be nearly as hot, with afternoon highs generally between 96 and 102 degrees. Heat index values will once again range from 100 to 110 degrees.
Saturday should be slightly less intense as somewhat cooler air begins moving into the middle levels of the atmosphere. Even so, afternoon highs will still reach the 90s, with heat index values between 95 and over 100 degrees. Dangerous heat and humidity will continue through Independence Day.
Another concern is the lack of nighttime relief. Overnight lows will only fall into the middle 70s across most areas, while urban locations remain between 75 and 80 degrees. In downtown Boston, the urban heat island effect, where buildings and pavement retain heat after sunset, may keep temperatures near or above 80 degrees through the night.
**Key Message 2, Low thunderstorm and severe weather probability today and tonight because of limited atmospheric forcing, but if isolated storms develop they could become severe. The thunderstorm and severe weather potential increases late Friday and or Saturday ahead of an approaching cold front.**
Forecast models have struggled to accurately predict the thunderstorm clusters that have affected parts of the Northeast during the past several days. The overall risk today and tonight appears lower, but isolated thunderstorms remain possible.
Meteorologists note there is limited atmospheric forcing, meaning there are few weather systems available to trigger widespread thunderstorm development. In addition, a mid level cap, a layer of warmer air several thousand feet above the ground, may suppress storm formation.
However, enough daytime heating and localized areas where winds come together could allow a few storms to break through the cap. If that happens, the atmosphere will contain enough instability to support severe thunderstorms. Any storms that develop today are expected to remain isolated.
Thunderstorm and severe weather chances increase late Friday and or Saturday as a cold front approaches and conditions become more favorable for storm development.
Machine learning forecast guidance suggests that if severe storms develop, the greatest threat will be damaging straight line winds. Very high atmospheric moisture will also increase the potential for localized torrential rainfall, street flooding, and dangerous cloud to ground lightning.
**Key Message 3, Relief from the heat with cooler, more seasonable temperatures returning for the first half of next week.**
Long range ensemble guidance, which combines many forecast model simulations to improve forecast confidence, shows strong agreement that the upper level ridge responsible for the extreme heat will weaken and move away. As that happens, cooler, more seasonable temperatures will return beginning Sunday and continue through the first half of next week.
Countdown to Autumn
Autumn Begins on: September 23, 2026 at 2:05 AM EDT
92Days18Hours28Mins13Secs
Five Day Daily Temperature Run - Peterborough, NH
Updated Every Morning
Normal Daily Averages
High Temperature: 77 Degrees - Low Temperature: 55 Degrees
(Tip: Place your cursor over the bar below to see the number)
Weather News/Headlines of Interest
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Fourth of July weather forecast: Heat, storms and smoke ahead
Asteroid Day marks 1908 Siberian impact as scientists prepare for surge of new discoveries
HOT TOPIC Met Office reveals exact day 31C heat will return to UK as new alert issued
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