News alert: Potential for severe storms Tuesday night

Electric companies are preparing for potential severe thunderstorms Tuesday night, with bad weather expected in the North Country, and the Lakes Region facing a threat.

“We’ve been monitoring the weather, and the forecast does call for some potential for very strong storms,” Colin Manning, spokesperson for New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, said Tuesday afternoon.

Hunter Tubbs, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said Tuesday afternoon there is a threat for severe storms in the area.

“The highest threat is a little more north, but that isn’t to say that Laconia is out of the woods,” Tubbs said.

There are predictions of “locally damaging winds and hail,” and gusts more than 70 mph. The highest risk is between 8 p.m. and midnight on Tuesday, but Tubbs said there could be threats before and after.

Tubbs said it is interesting, and rare, because the threat is higher after sunset. This increases the danger, because people are typically sleeping, so he recommends always having a way to receive alerts and information in case the power goes out.

Tubbs said the thunderstorms are coming down from Canada, and could gather strength as they approach New Hampshire.

“It’s a good setup for storms to continue being strong after daytime,” Tubbs said. “It’s pretty rare for here, but in this case, the atmosphere is supportive to maintain the storm’s strength.”

Tornadoes could come through New Hampshire, and this isn’t the first time recently there has been such a threat. Just before the summer, on June 18, the entire Granite State was under a tornado watch. High winds caused damage throughout the region. The National Weather Service reported a microburst was suspected in Tuftonboro. A tornado was not confirmed locally, but multiple touched down in Vermont.

“There is a tornado threat, but that is further north, but it’s not to say one isn’t possible down this way,” Tubbs said Tuesday. “All severe hazards are possible.”

Both NHEC and Eversource were coordinating efforts for additional crews to help ahead of the storm. 

Laconia firefighters are also ready for any potential threats.