New severe thunderstorm warning

Key Points:

• New severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Thursday afternoon in southern New Hampshire, including Rockingham, Cheshire, and Hillsborough counties, with potential wind gusts up to 60 mph; warnings are in effect until 5:30-5:45 p.m.
• Key communities under the warning include Manchester, Derry, Hooksett, Bedford, Keene, Jaffrey, Merrimack, and Hampton Beach, following the expiration of earlier warnings for central and southeastern parts of the state.
• A cold front moving through the region may bring a line of showers and storms with gusty winds, small hail, and brief heavy downpours, especially in southeastern, central, and northern New Hampshire.
• Hazy skies from Canadian wildfires persist statewide, prompting an air quality alert until 11 p.m. Thursday and an Orange Alert from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, indicating unhealthy air for sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions.
• Friday is expected to bring clearer skies and warmer temperatures in the south, with the next chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms forecasted for Saturday afternoon into early Sunday.