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AM Fog - Partly Sunny Today with Increasing Clouds - Slight Chance of an afternoon Shower
Chance of showers This Evening
Last Complete Site Update: 8/20 - 7:14 AM
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"August was nearly over - the month of apples and falling stars, the last care-free month for the school children. The days were not hot, but sunny and limpidly clear -
the first sign of advancing autumn."
- Viktor Nekrasov
Today’s Weather at a Glance
Updated Every Morning and as Needed Through the Day
(Averages Across Southern NH)
82Degrees
High Temperature
30%
Probability of Precipitation - Daytime
56Degrees
Low Temperature
30%
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
No Active Advisories
None
Monday/Monday Night - August 24
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Tuesday/Tuesday Night - August 18
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Wednesday/Wednesday Night - August 19
Nashua - East
Peterborough - Central/West
Thursday/Thursday Night - August 20
Nashua - East
Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
A 30 percent chance of showers between 10pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Peterborough - Central/West
A 30 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday/Friday Night - August 21
Nashua - East
A 20 percent chance of showers between 10am and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
A 40 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Calm wind.
Peterborough - Central/West
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 53. Calm wind.
Saturday/Saturday Night - August 22
Nashua - East
Showers. High near 73. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Showers, mainly before 1am. Low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Peterborough - Central/West
Showers likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Showers likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday/Sunday Night - August 23
Nashua - East
Showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Peterborough - Central/West
Showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Showers likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Current Weather Readings in Peterborough, NH
Time of the readings below: 20 Aug 2026 3:50 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:
74.9°F (-2.3)
High Temperature:
81.5 at 1:18 PM
Low Temperature:
58.9 at 6:50 AM
Precipitation Today:
0.00 inches
Current Dewpoint:
67.6°F (4.0)
Highest Heat Index Reading:
82.8 at 1:29 PM
Current Windspeed:
0 MPH (0)
Barometric Trend:
Steady
Hours of Daylight Today:
13:40
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 & Mosquito Outlook for Southern NH
Rich's Weather Discussion
New Hampshire/North Briefing
Massachusetts/South Briefing
At this moment: 8/20 - 7:14 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:
No Thursday evening e-mail this week. The regular schedule continues otherwise.
It was mostly sunny here in the Monadnocks to start the day but clouds will be on the increase as a disturbance tracks to our south. There is a slight chance of a late afternoon shower today, then a slightly better chance of a few passing showers this evening. If you live from the MA line south, expect numerous showers today with possible heavy rain this weekend. Friday looks sunny here in SW NH with a slight chance of a shower from Nashua east. After that, unsettled weather rolls in for the weekend. Not a washout but chance of showers both Saturday and Sunday.
A few areas of early morning fog will lift today, followed by a mostly cloudy and seasonable day. Most areas should stay dry, although southern New Hampshire could see a few late day showers. Friday looks mainly dry, but rain chances increase this weekend as a frontal system moves north. Wetter conditions could continue into Sunday, followed by generally drier weather early next week, although clouds and a few showers may linger across the interior.
Another Eclispe to catch: Look, I know most of us weren't able to watch last week's total solar eclipse in person. And yes, seeing photos of it, or watching it on livestream - those are great, but they aren't the real thing. So I just want to tell you that eclipse regret is real, and it's OK to feel it. But I also want to let you know that this month actually has a second eclipse in store. Here's the deal: A deep partial lunar eclipse will occur next week on Aug. 27?Äì28, covering roughly 96% of the moon in shadow. And while it won't be getting as many headlines as last week's big solar eclipse (what can I say? Our entire solar system has a solar bias), the good news is that pretty much everyone across the country will be able to see it, so long as the clouds cooperate. So make a note on your calendar now, and keep tabs on your moonrise and moonset times, because the next time we'll be able to see one of these won't happen for about two years!
The Drought Info has been updated.
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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 1911, the first commercial telegram was sent to test how quickly a message could be transmitted around the world. The New York Times initiated the transmission, which traveled over 28,000 miles, relayed by 16 different operators. Remarkably, it arrived back at The Times just 16.5 minutes later.
Latest site updates and additions:
08/17 - See the First look at Autumn Maps and info here
Find the August Almanac Here
Hurricane Season began on June 1st - Details and forecasts can be found here.
07/17 - Find the Mosquito Outlook in the Heath Section. Added Mosquito forecast for Nashua
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: 08/15 - Next Update: 08/31 (or thereabouts)
Weather Summaries and Full Area Forecast Discussions - North (Edited)
Summary - Northern New England - New Hampshire and Maine
Summary:
A few areas of early morning fog will lift today, followed by a mostly cloudy and seasonable day. Most areas should stay dry, although southern New Hampshire could see a few late day showers. Friday looks mainly dry, but rain chances increase this weekend as a frontal system moves north. Wetter conditions could continue into Sunday, followed by generally drier weather early next week, although clouds and a few showers may linger across the interior.
Key Messages:
- After some early morning fog today, the day should be mostly dry and cloudy. There is a chance of late day showers across southern NH. Friday will likely be dry.
- Rain chances both weekend days with a frontal system nearby.
- Drier conditions to start next week, but clouds and showers remain possible in the interior.
What has changed since the last Forecast Update?
No major changes were needed to the forecast at this time.
What this means for you:
Today will be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 70s to lower 80s. Southern New Hampshire has the best chance for a late day shower. Friday should be the better weather day, with dry conditions and lower humidity. The weekend looks unsettled, with periods of rain possible both Saturday and Sunday. Early next week should trend drier, especially near the coast, while areas farther inland could still see clouds and a few showers.
Click the Open/Close Button to Display the Full Edited Area Forecast Discussion
**Area Forecast Discussion, National Weather Service Gray ME, 629 AM EDT
Thu Aug 20 2026**
**What Has Changed**
Minor update to the Aviation section.
**Key Messages**
1. After some early morning fog today, the day should be mostly dry and cloudy. There is a chance of late day showers across southern NH. Friday will likely be dry.
2. Rain chances both weekend days with a frontal system nearby.
3. Drier conditions to start next week, but clouds and showers remain possible in the interior.
**Discussion**
**Key Message 1**
Fog will lift by mid-morning today, followed by another seasonable day with highs in the mid 70s to lower 80s and a good deal of cloud cover. Most of the forecast area should remain dry today, but some forecast guidance continues to show the northern edge of a weather system passing south of the region and clipping southern areas later today. Because of this, a chance of showers will remain in the forecast for southern areas, mainly southern New Hampshire, through the evening.
High pressure will settle in Friday, bringing fair and dry weather along with lower dewpoint values, meaning less moisture and humidity in the air. One forecast model is showing showers across southern areas Friday afternoon and evening, but that solution is considered an outlier and is not being used at this time.
**Key Message 2**
A stalled front currently well south of New England will begin moving north toward the region Saturday as a warm front. One or more areas of low pressure will move along this boundary, creating an unsettled weekend with periodic chances for rain.
There are two separate sources of moisture involved. One will come from the Southeast United States on southerly winds near the surface, while another feature farther west, a 500 mb trough, meaning a dip in the jet stream and upper-level flow, will strengthen and could lead to the development of a surface low.
Exactly how these two features interact remains uncertain. One possibility is that they combine and produce locally heavy rainfall. Another possibility is that they remain separate and produce two different areas of heavier rainfall, either of which may or may not affect the forecast area.
What is becoming more certain is that the atmosphere will be quite moist. Dewpoints could rise into the upper 60s, and forecast atmospheric moisture values are around 1.5 to 1.8 inches. This is a respectable amount of moisture for this far in advance. The average forecast rainfall is currently around half an inch, although there remains considerable uncertainty regarding exactly where and how much rain will fall each day. There should still be some dry periods during the weekend, although the rainfall would be beneficial given current conditions.
CIPS/CSU machine learning guidance indicates a low risk for strong to severe thunderstorms Sunday. Sunday currently appears to offer the best chance for the region to briefly enter the warm sector, the warmer and more humid air between the warm and cold fronts, with some locations potentially reaching the lower 80s. Wind shear, meaning the change in wind speed and direction with height, currently looks quite weak, so there is not yet a strong signal for widespread severe weather.
**Key Message 3**
An upper-level low west of New England is expected to become the main influence on our weather early next week. Current indications suggest this system could fully close off and stall over Quebec.
This would bring cyclonic westerly flow, meaning winds circulating around the upper-level low, across New England. Forecast guidance is still mixed on whether this pattern will produce mainly dry conditions or a more moist flow wrapping around the system.
Based on precipitation signals and the overall weather pattern, some clouds and light, shallow precipitation are likely across the White Mountains and surrounding higher terrain. These showers would be driven partly by upslope flow, where air is forced upward over higher terrain. Conditions are more likely to remain dry closer to the coast.
Despite somewhat cooler temperatures higher in the atmosphere, highs should remain near average. Some downslope warming, where air warms as it descends from higher terrain, could help keep temperatures milder across the coastal plain.
Weather Summaries and Full Area Forecast Discussions - South (Edited)
Summary - Southern New England - Massachusetts/Northern CT/Rhode Island
Summary:
Unsettled weather returns today as a front moves through southern New England, bringing periods of showers, especially later today into tonight. The south coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands have the best chance for heavier rainfall, while much of the interior should see lower rainfall amounts. Another period of unsettled weather is possible this weekend, with more widespread rain and perhaps some thunderstorms.
Key Messages:
- Unsettled weather returns today with a frontal passage and periods of showers.
- Another round of unsettled weather is possible this weekend.
What has changed since the last Forecast Update?
Increased the forecast precipitation amounts slightly for later today.
What this means for you
Plan for a generally unsettled Thursday, with showers becoming more likely later in the day and continuing into tonight. Rainfall could be locally heavier along the south coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands, where amounts of 0.25 to around 1 inch are possible, with locally higher amounts. Friday should be somewhat drier, especially across the interior, but another round of rain is possible Saturday into Sunday.
Click the Open/Close Button to Display the Full Edited Area Forecast Discussion
**Area Forecast Discussion, National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA, 722 AM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026**
**What has changed**
Increased the forecast precipitation amounts slightly for later today.
**Key Messages**
* Unsettled weather returns today with a frontal passage and periods of showers.
* Another round of unsettled weather is possible this weekend.
**Discussion**
**Key Message 1, Unsettled weather returns today with a frontal passage and periods of showers**
Several shortwave disturbances, or smaller areas of energy in the upper atmosphere, will track toward southern New England today within southwest flow aloft. The jet stream around 500 millibars, roughly 18,000 feet above the surface, strengthens this afternoon and will help air rise more efficiently. A plume of above normal moisture will also move into the region, with some guidance showing precipitable water values, a measure of the amount of moisture available in the atmosphere, reaching around 1.7 inches this afternoon and evening.
With these factors coming together, scattered showers are expected to move through the region later today and into tonight.
Despite the event being less than a day away, forecast models still disagree somewhat on rainfall totals. The general agreement is that a front will cross the region late today into tonight, producing scattered showers.
Aside from the GFS model, most guidance now favors the higher rainfall totals along the south coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Amounts there are expected to range from 0.25 to around 1 inch, although some high-resolution models show locally higher amounts. The HREF, a high-resolution ensemble forecasting system, shows some areas along the south coast potentially receiving up to 2 inches in 24 hours.
This higher rainfall potential appears to be related to the possibility of showers becoming more convective, meaning they could develop more quickly and produce locally heavier rainfall. However, HREF probabilities keep the highest chances for rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour or greater mostly away from southern New England.
The GFS-based guidance remains much drier than the other major model groups, keeping significant rainfall mainly southwest of the region. The ECMWF and Canadian ensemble guidance both show roughly 20 to 50 percent probabilities for rainfall totals reaching or exceeding 0.5 inch from the south coast into Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and Cape Cod. The ECMWF increases those probabilities to around 60 percent near the Islands.
NAEFS, the North American Ensemble Forecast System, also tracks the area of unusually high moisture into these same locations. As a result, rainfall totals reaching at least 0.5 inch are certainly possible.
Elsewhere across southern New England, rainfall totals should be much lower as drier air moves into those areas.
**Key Message 2, Another round of unsettled weather possible this weekend**
Drier air moving in behind todays front should allow the interior to become somewhat drier on Friday. However, weak low pressure developing off the coast of Long Island could move northeast and produce scattered showers across southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the south coast into Cape Cod. Winds circulating around the low pressure system will help keep these areas moist and unsettled.
Forecast guidance continues to show the front stalling somewhere offshore. A much larger disturbance, or shortwave, will move from the Great Lakes into the region Saturday into Sunday. This will strengthen the southwest flow aloft and increase the potential for additional rainfall.
There are still differences among the models regarding exactly where the stalled front will be located. The most likely scenario at this time has low pressure tracking across southern New England. If that occurs, more widespread rainfall would be possible across the region from Saturday into Sunday.
NAEFS and other ensemble guidance again show an area of unusually high moisture over the region, meaning rainfall totals around 1 to 2 inches remain possible. Depending on the timing of the disturbances and the track of the low pressure system, thunderstorms could also develop if enough daytime heating occurs.
The front should move offshore sometime Monday, allowing high pressure to build in behind it and bring generally drier weather.
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: 76 Degrees - Low Temperature: 54 Degrees
(Tip: Place your cursor over the bar below to see the number)
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Atlantic hurricane forecast changes as peak season approaches
Sucky situation! Wild moment octopus latches onto fisherman’s face forcing him to club it to escape
New Hampshire can bill hikers for mountain rescues. A $25 card can help avoid the cost
Fall forecast 2026: Summer warmth may linger US as El Nino intensifies
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