Southern New Hampshire Cities Hit 80s Amid Unseasonable Heat

Temperatures soar well above average for mid-April in the region.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A vast, hazy landscape painting with a shimmering horizon and dramatic lighting, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of extreme heat in southern New Hampshire.As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves, the natural landscape of southern New Hampshire is transformed into a sweeping, atmospheric vision of the region's vulnerability.Manchester Today

Parts of southern New Hampshire experienced summerlike heat on April 14, 2026, with temperatures exceeding 80 degrees for the first time since October 7, 2025. Nashua recorded the highest temperature in the region at 86 degrees, while Manchester reached 85 degrees. Other cities like Concord, Keene, Lebanon, and Jaffrey also saw temperatures in the 80s, nearly 30 degrees above the average for this time of year.

Why it matters

While the recent heat wave was significant, it did not break any state records. However, the spike in temperatures highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by climate change, which can have significant impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and public health in the region.

The details

The warmth was primarily concentrated in the valley areas of southern New Hampshire, while coastal areas remained significantly cooler in the 50s. The recent temperatures in Manchester and Nashua remain well below their historical maximums, with the all-time high in Manchester being 105 degrees and the state's overall record high being 106 degrees in Nashua.

  • The region last saw temperatures of 80 degrees or higher on October 7, 2025, a span of 189 days.
  • The heat wave occurred on April 14, 2026.

The players

NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC)

The organization that tracks and verifies weather records for the state of New Hampshire.

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The takeaway

This unseasonable heat wave serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, which can lead to more frequent and severe extreme weather events that threaten agriculture, infrastructure, and public health.